Fonte sacra Su Tempiesu

The holy font %u201CSu Tempiesu%u201D is located in a valley near the city of Nuoro, in central- north Sardinia. This monument is the only original example of wells and holy fonts%u2019 cover during the Nuragic period. Dating back to the 12th-10th century BC, it is built of trachyte and basalt blocks without mortar, transported through the valley of the Isalle since the trachyte stone is not present in this territory. The structure leans on the rock with the typical plan of holy wells: vestibule, flight of stairs and a chamber to collect spring water, considered sacred by Nuragic people. The front, originally 7m high, has a double pitched roof with a tympanum on the top, once decorated with twenty bronze votive swords. Two monolithic arches are visible in the upper part of the structure. From the vestibule, four steps lead to a little tholos chamber which collects water. On the paved floor, a little hole collects impurities, so that well%u2019s water is always clear. Many votive objects were found inside this room: daggers, rings, bracelets, pins, some elements of an amber necklace and valuable bronzetti, bronze figurines representing offerers, warriors and some characters with a mantle and the staff of command. A curvilinear trachyte wall is placed outside the well, with two little niches for offerings. Near the holy font is the nuraghe S. Lulla, strictly connected  to this sacred place.

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