Tempietto di Malchittu

About the museum

The Malchittu temple lies at Malchittu, on the outskirts of Arzachena, along the state road 125 towards Olbia, in the same area as the Nuraghe Albucciu and the Moru giants’ tomb. It is a Nuragic cult building, set in a hollow between two granite heights at 120 metres above sea level, and is part of the Parco Archeologico di Arzachena managed by the municipal company Ge.Se.Co.

In antiquity it was protected by a defensive wall and by a nuraghe on the facing hill, of which only the collapse survives; at a lower level there is a large circular structure, perhaps a hut. The building is preserved almost entirely and lacks only the double-pitched roof, which was made of wooden rafters resting on a ridge beam.

The chamber, rectangular with an apse (8 metres long and 4 metres wide), is preceded by a quadrangular forecourt obtained by extending the side walls. Because of this plan it is counted among the temples known as “megaron” temples, on account of their similarity to Aegean architecture. Inside there is a bench on the back wall, perhaps for offerings, two seats on the side walls for the officiant and the faithful, and a circular hearth at the centre, a sign of the use of fire in the rites in which the neighbouring communities took part.

Highlights

• Almost intact megaron temple
• Apsidal chamber with bench, seats and hearth
• Setting between two granite heights
• Walk of about 1.5 km from the ticket office
• Combined ticket with Albucciu and Moru

Permanent exhibition

• Tempietto di Malchittu – Visit to the megaron temple with the apsidal chamber, forecourt, bench, seats and hearth.

Operated by

Ge.Se.Co. Arzachena S.U.R.L. (Parco Archeologico di Arzachena)

Visitors per year

approx. 18,000

Admission & discounts

The combined ticket is valid for the monuments of the Parco Archeologico di Arzachena. Residents of Arzachena and children under 12 enter free. Schools: free for residents, €1 for non-residents.

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

The temple can only be reached on foot along an uphill path of about 1.5 km, the last stretch of which is very steep and on rock.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The site is on the outskirts of Arzachena on the state road 125 Arzachena–Olbia. The temple can only be reached on foot, along an uphill path of about 1.5 km from the ticket office. In the same area are the Nuraghe Albucciu and the Moru giants’ tomb.

Amenities & dining

The Parco Archeologico di Arzachena lists among its services ticket offices, toilets, car parks, free wifi, guided tours, audio guides and a shop (not specified for each individual site).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit