The archaeological patrimony of Villagrande Strisaili is a continuous and surprising discovery that deserves special attention. One of its gems is eight kilometres from the hamlet, that almost has the same name, of Villanova Strisaili, on the border between Ogliastra and Barbagia di Belvì. It is the Giants’ Tomb of Troculu, which appears among the shrubs in the Mediterranean scrub, once used for the veneration of the dead inside a large Nuragic complex and now an archaeological site, consisting not only of the tomb, but also of the remains of two nuraghi and of what was once the settlement’s village of reference during the Bronze Age. In reality, the site of the tomb today is not its original location. Due to the construction of the Nuoro-Lanusei expressway, the tomb was dismantled and reassembled nearby at the end of the 20th century. You will see that the body of the tomb is still intact. It was made using granite blocks positioned in uneven rows and shaped obliquely on the exposed face. You will notice the typical use of supporting wedges between the rows.
The tomb of Troculu is in an ideal position within a fascinating Nuragic itinerary, which includes the sanctuary of s’Arcu e is Forros, with a majestic megaron temple, probably dedicated to the worship of the waters and surrounded by a sacred enclosure. Nearby, you’ll see traces of metalworking furnaces, huts and a trefoil nuraghe. To the east, on the other hand, lies the area of sa Carcaredda: the complex includes a temple in antis - consisting of a vestibule, a circular room and a room next to the vestibule -, a village and four Giants’ Tombs, two of which are well preserved.
The three complexes of Troculu, s’Arcu ‘e is Forros and sa Carcaredda are surrounded by magical landscapes, where nature has given proof of its artistic flair. Here, you’ll find the natural pools of Bau Mela, dug out of the granite, and the forest of Santa Barbara with centuries-old trees, medicinal and aromatic plants, Mediterranean scrub, springs and waterways. Crossing the park and travelling alongside the upper Flumendosa lake you will come to another enchanting sight: the gorge of Pirincanes and the waterfalls of Rio ‘e Forru. Here, the torrent has eroded the pink granite, creating a canyon and giving rise to waterfalls that, in turn, generate pools of crystal clear water, called ‘cauldrons of the giants’.