In the primitive and wild valley of the municipality of Orune is one of the best kept examples of construction from the Nuraghic period: the Su Tempiesu sacred fountain. This temple (in ancient times dedicated to the cult of spring water by the Nuraghic people) dates back to the period of greatest splendour of the Nuraghic civilization; then end of the II Millennium B.C. and was kept practically intact due to a landslide that covered it until 1953 when it was discovered.
“Well temples" – called in this fashion due to the presence within of a spring and precisely a well – present a more sophisticated and perfected structure with respect to the Nuraghic constructions. The stones that form its structure, although are of the same nature of those used for the Nuraghe, are nevertheless placed (arranged) with precision and in a regular fashion.
They were fundamentally made of vaulted rooms that could be reached through a covered atrium and then tiers.
Constructions of this type and dedicated to the same cult can also be found in other areas of Sardinia: in Serri in the province of Nuoro is the well-kept Santa Vittoria sanctuary. In Paulilatino (province of Oristano) we find the Santa Cristina sacred well, in Bonorva in the province of Sassari the Su Lumarzu sacred fountain.
The Su Tempiesu sacred fountain is equipped with an original double sloping covering – unique in Sardinia – that begins from the rocky wall and entirely covers it. The front part of the temple, which is approximately three and a half meters high, is constituted by a terminal triangular element in a squared block of stone with a pyramid-shaped form. In ancient times, the well represented the centre of the temple and in the overlooking anteroom, votive offers were left by the believers who could not enter the temple.
Water was collected in an internal room to which access was had by four small steps (for the most part symbolic) and the well was waterproofed using molten lead between the joints of the stone blocks. In this fashion, water seepage was avoided.
How to reach it:
From the town of Orune, follow the road signs for Su Tempiesu and you will arrive close to the cemetery. From here, an asphalt road will take you directly to the entrance of the archaeological site, which is open everyday until dusk.
