The Nuraghe La Prisgiona is the fulcrum of the most impressive Nuragic settlement in Gallura. Located on a granite rock hill, it dominates an area of several hectares covered in vineyards from the Capichera estates.
The complex is arranged like a true fortress. It has a central tower surrounded by a turreted stronghold and a defence wall which separates it from the huts used as living quarters. Access to the central tower has an imposing architrave on top of it and leads into a corridor which opens onto a niche, the by-now collapsed stairway to the upper floor and the central room with false cupola (tholos) standing almost seven metres high.
Inside the wall-enclosed courtyard is a deep well and the so called “capanna delle riunioni” (meeting hut), where presumably the heads of the Proto-Sardinian community held its gatherings.
Outside the defence wall, you can follow the cobbled paths connecting the village’s almost one hundred huts. There were drainage conduits under the cobbled paths for rainwater which was channelled into a cistern. Some of the most interesting discoveries included an unusually shaped vase understood to be a distiller. There are raised three-dimensional decorative motifs including a snake, bull protomes and other symbols on the surface of the vase.
Take the trunk road SS 427 from Arzachena towards Sant’Antonio di Gallura, to reach the site. About 3 km after leaving the town on the right, follow the sign indicating La Prisgiona archaeological site. Continue straight on for a little over a kilometre until the road becomes a dirt track and leave your car in the clearing on the right; continue on foot for about 120 metres: the Nuragic site is clearly visible on your left.
