The third route described here passes through the Marmilla and the province of Medio-Campidano. The Marmilla is an accidented and fertile countryside with many orchards, vineyards and in the valleys and plains arable lands. It is therefore not surprising that right here some of the most important prehistorical sites can be found, not in the least that of Barumini, listed by the UNESCO as world heritage. But worth mentioning is also the pan-Sardic sanctuary of Santa Vittoria di Serri that had more than just a local significance for the Sards. The itinerary touches on another important nuraghe, that of Genna Maria, and a water sanctuary at Sardara. There are ofcourse many more sites, museums and a medieval castle, at Sanluri, that can be visited in this part of Sardinia, these may not be included in the current description but there are many signs and indications pointing to the different sites and there is a specific itinerary indicated to visit all the important nuraghi of the territory.

The landscape of the Marmilla seen from the Monte Arci

The first part of the itinerary begins in Oristano and, following the ss131 "Carlo Felice" south, runs past the Monte Arci to Sardara. Leaving the ss131 at the exit for Sardara follow the roadsigns for the town centre and do not follow those of the Terme di Sardara because that is a modern healthcenter. The archaeological site of Sardara is located in the middle of the town next to the small church of Sant'Anastasia. It comprises part of a nuragic village and a water sanctuary. Because of it's location only part of the nuragic village could be excavated. Half an hour should be enough to visit the site and the small church.

The watersanctuary at Sardara

The nuraghe Genna Maria

The second part of the itinerary goes from Sardara to the nuraghe Genna Maria near the town of Villanovaforru. The nuraghe lies on the top of a hill and belongs to the type of complex nuraghi with several towers. Because it was built with a kind of rock (marl) that is subject to erosion the nuraghe has been largely destroyed in the course of time. Already in ancient times the people had to repair the nuraghe. The plan of structure can be clearly seen and also the later roman houses around it are clearly visible. From the hilltop there is a splendid view of the surroundings and you can see the Bay of Oristano and the mountains of the Iglesiente on the other side of the Campidano.

Su Nuraxi near Barumini

The third part of this itinerary goes from Villanovaforru to Barumini, through the hills and the plains of the Marmilla until it reaches the foot of the Giara di Gesturi, a highland plateau on the east side of the Marmilla. Su Nuraxi, literally "the Nuraghe" in Sardinian, is listed by the UNESCO as world heritage. This has been largely the work of the most important archaeologist of the Sardinian Bronze Age, Giovanni Lilliu, who not only excavated this nuraghe but has also been the author of numerous works on the Sardinian prehistory in the past decades.

A view of the landscape from
the nuraghe at Barumini

The fourth part of the itinerary goes to the main sanctuary of the Sards on top of another highland plateau (giara), that of Serri. The secondary road from Barumini to Gerrei was in 2007 part of the Giro d'Italia, and it runs through fertile hills to the foot of the giara itself. To access the giara there is only one road that starts in Serri and finishes on the edge of the plateau.

The waterwell of the sanctuary
at Santa Vittoria di Serri

Serri is the last site in this route description. From here it is about 90 kilometers back to Oristano. You can take the same road back to Barumini for the last stage, or decide to go to Sanluri to reach the ss131.