Cagliari: 5-Hour Archaeological Shore Excursion – Sardinia, Italy

EXPERIENCE:

Nora was a Roman and pre-Roman town dating back to the time of the Phoenicians. Whether fact or a bit of fiction, the town’s founding is bathed in colorful history. Pausanias, a geographer in the 2nd century, outlines in his work description of Greece that the Iberians founded Nora when they crossed Sardinia under the leadership of Norax, an ancient mythical hero. The tradition says that Nora was the first city on the island.

As you enter the archeological zone, you will see what remains of the thermal baths. Walk along the cobbled street to the heart of this open-air museum – Piazza del Foro. Here you will see the Temple of Tanit – a Carthaginian goddess. The archeological zone was revealed in 1889 following a storm that uncovered the Phoenician Tophet, a kind of cemetery for children. And hence the excavations began. An aqueduct and necropolis are found on the site, as are the remains of a nobleman’s house dating back to the 3rd century. The rooms of the house are lined with stunning mosaics. Your private guided visit in Nora will be approximately 1.5 hours.

The main attraction of Nora is the theater, the only one in Sardinia. In its day, it was lined with marble and could seat 1,000 people on its 20 terraces. The spectacular structure still hosts the La Notte dei Poeti festival today! Just so you know, during the festivals, the theater is covered to protect the ruins. Despite all that you will see, much of Nora remains unexcavated! Looking out across the golden sands of the beach and the crystal waters of the Mediterranean, you can likely take yourself back to the forgotten past of this ancient urban trading center and imagine what it must have been!

Before returning to your Cagliari cruise port, you will also visit a fantastic Nuraghe in Sarroch; this monument from the bronze age is a symbol of Sardinian culture.

Your private transportation will take you back to the Passenger Terminal at the Caliari pier at the end of your excursion.
 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Discover the Nuraghe Sa Domu’e S’Orcu built during the Bronze Age
Learn about and see the Sardinian history and tradition
Explore the Roman ruins of Nora, the first Phoenician city in Sardinia

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