Necropoli di Montessu

About the museum

The Montessu necropolis, about one kilometre from the village of Villaperuccio in the lower Sulcis, is considered the most imposing and extensive domus de Janas burial ground in southern Sardinia. It comprises over forty tombs of different shapes and sizes, cut into an amphitheatre of trachyte rock on the south flank of the sa Pranedda hill and arranged symmetrically along the rock face.

The burials were used from the Final Neolithic (3200–2800 BC) to the Early Bronze Age (1800–1600 BC). Among the best known are sa Cresiedda and sa Grutta de is procus, while the tomb of the spirals and the tomb of the horns stand out for their decorations with symbolic motifs. From the entrance to the archaeological area a path climbs for several hundred metres to the tombs.

In the valley archaeological park there is also an allée couverte, two nuraghi and two menhirs about five metres tall, and on the hilltop of s'Arriorxu traces of a village from the 3rd millennium BC have been identified. In 2025 Montessu was included, together with sixteen other sites, in UNESCO's World Heritage List devoted to Sardinian prehistoric necropolises.

Highlights

• Over 40 domus de Janas in a trachyte amphitheatre
• Tomb of the spirals and tomb of the horns with symbolic decorations
• Sa Cresiedda and sa Grutta de is procus
• Archaeological park with an allée couverte, two nuraghi and two menhirs
• UNESCO World Heritage since 2025

Permanent exhibition

• Necropoli di Montessu – Visit to the domus de Janas of the necropolis and to the surrounding archaeological park with its allée couverte, nuraghi and menhirs.

Visitors per year

approx. 7,022

Admission & discounts

Rates taken from an Italian museum portal, to be confirmed with the operator.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

From the entrance to the archaeological area, a path climbs for several hundred metres to the tombs.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From Villaperuccio, cross the centre and take the SP 80 towards Narcao; after the rio Mannu, about 1 km on, turn left following the signs for the necropolis. The site is about 1 km from the village.

Amenities & dining

• Café

According to the regional tourism portal there is a bar, a small car park and toilets.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.