Villanovafranca

Population: 1,600
Altitude: 290 m above sea level

Villanovafranca can be easily reached from Cagliari on the S.S. 131 road and then on the S.S. 197.
It is the town of the nuraghi: "Paberi", "Perdu Atzeni", "Pranu", "Trattasi", "Tupedili", and the most imoprtant "Su Mulinu". The "Su Mulinu" complex, traced back to 1500 BC, is unique not only because of its particular fortress structure, but also because the settlement was inhabited continuously from the II millennium BC to the VI sec. AD. Another fascinating characteristic of the "Su Mulinu" complex is its Nuragic altar, which dates back to the early Iron Age. It was uncovered inside the Nuraghe and is so far the only example of its kind on the whole island.

Visitors must not miss the Archaeological Museum, which stands next to the former Monte Granatico building, dating back to the mid 1800s, recently restored to its former glory. The museum is divided into two exhibition routes.

The burial cippus is particularly interesting. It was discovered in the "Su Mulinu" Necropolis and marks the tomb of an important male figure. In addition, visitors can admire a millstone from the III millennium BC, which bears witness to activities of the transformation of agricultural produce.

The museum also boasts a reproduction of the votive altar of "Su Mulinu", with fascinating information relative to the evolution of this civilisation throughout the centuries. Visitors can also admire about 528 exhibits including ceramic, glass, wooden and metal objects, which have been traced back to between the IV millennium BC and the III century AD.