Sant'Andrea Priu: rock-cut tombs and frescoes above Bonorva

A few kilometres from Bonorva, in the heart of northern Sardinia, lies one of the most surprising and least-visited archaeological sites on the island. The necropolis of Sant'Andrea Priu is a cluster of domus de Janas, the so-called "fairy houses", underground tombs carved into the trachyte rock several thousand years ago. Here you will find no queues, no tour buses, no crowds: only the silence of the plateau and the sound of the wind among the rocks.

The domus de Janas

The domus de Janas are interconnected underground chambers, some of which reproduce in stone the domestic spaces of the living, with ceilings, pillars and carved details. The most famous tomb of the complex is known as the "Chief's Tomb", a large hypogeum divided into numerous chambers. In later eras some of these spaces were reused and transformed, and on part of the walls traces of frescoes survive, bearing witness to the long life of the site across the centuries.

How to visit

Visiting Sant'Andrea Priu means slowing down. The site is reached by a short walk through the countryside of the Meilogu, among dry-stone walls, pastures and oaks. It is an intimate experience, to be taken calmly, ideally with a local guide who can recount the layers of stories carved into the rock. Bring comfortable shoes, water and respect: these fragile spaces deserve to be crossed on tiptoe.

When to go

For anyone seeking the authentic Sardinia, far from the beaches stormed in summer, this corner of the interior is a revelation. It is best visited in spring or autumn, when temperatures are mild and the raking light brings out the relief of the stone. Always check opening times and arrangements in advance, because in low season access may be limited. A journey that rewards those with the curiosity to look beyond the coast.

Related guides: Sardinia off the routes: inland villages and little-known destinations · Instead of the Costa Smeralda: Sardinia's most beautiful (and cheapest) sea · Etruscan sites and necropolises to visit: an itinerary through Lazio, Tuscany and Umbria.

How to get there

The necropolis of Sant'Andrea Priu lies in the countryside about ten kilometres from Bonorva, in the Sassari area: by car you reach Bonorva from the SS131 Carlo Felice road, then continue on the road towards Bono, following the signs for the country church of Santa Lucia and for the archaeological area. The reference airport is Alghero-Fertilia, while Olbia is a more distant alternative. For the final stretch of countryside the car is indispensable.