Domu de Orgia is the largest megaron temple brought to light so far in Sardinia, built over a nuragic village and surrounded by a sacred enclosure.
THE MONUMENT
Between the 14th and 12th century BC the sanctuary of Domu de Orgia was built, over an earlier nuragic village.
After the nuragic phase the site continued to be frequented in Roman times.
DESCRIPTION
THE TEMPLE AND THE ENCLOSURE
The heart of Domu de Orgia is the megaron temple, with an elongated rectangular plan. It is built with local schist blocks, partly worked and laid in regular courses.
Outside, the temple is surrounded by an elliptical sacred enclosure, the temenos. Only the stone blocks of its base survive today.
In front of the temple opens a forecourt with benches along the sides. The entrance still preserves its lintel and leads to two rectangular rooms, connected by a lintelled door. Both rooms have a wide bench made of schist slabs.
The temple roof consisted of stone slabs laid over a wooden frame.
THE LANDSCAPE AND TRANSHUMANCE ROUTES
Domu de Orgia stands near a path used by livestock in transhumance, at the crossing with a track leading to the Cuccurueddi pass.
Megaron temples are not numerous in Sardinia. Those found so far often stand in mountainous places near the main transhumance routes. Another important site with megaron temples is S’Arcu ’e is Forros at Villagrande Strisaili.
HISTORY AND USES
THE CULT
Cult practices took place at the site, as confirmed by refined pottery, miniature objects and numerous votive bronzes offered as gifts. Among the figurines are offerer-hunters, priestesses and an archer, together with various animal figures.
LATER FREQUENTATION
After the nuragic phase the place continued to be frequented in Roman times. Near the enclosure entrance a small hoard of Roman coins was recovered. Coins from the Republican to the early Imperial age were also found in the enclosure walls.
EXCAVATIONS
Information on excavations: to be defined.
SOURCES
Alberto Moravetti, Paolo Melis, Lavinia Foddai, Elisabetta Alba (eds.), La Sardegna Nuragica. Storia e monumenti, Carlo Delfino editore, 2017.
SardegnaTurismo.
IDESE / Ministero della Cultura.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Sardegna Sentieri; SardegnaCultura; University of Sassari; Comune di Esterzili.
THE NAME OF THE SITE
The name comes from popular tradition: “Urxia” or “Orgia” is said to be the name of a malevolent fairy or witch. Several versions of the legend tell of a hidden treasure and of the muscas maceddas, the “killer flies”, set to guard it.
The name Domu de Orgia is in fact translated as “House of the Evil Fairy”.
THE LANDSCAPE
Domu de Orgia stands on Monte Santa Vittoria, in the Barbagia di Seulo, in a mountainous landscape rich in nuragic evidence.
Its proximity to transhumance paths links the sanctuary to communication routes and to the seasonal movements of pastoral communities.
