A few kilometres west of Fertilia on the road to Porto Conte, the Nuraghe di Palmavera is a 3500-year-old nuraghic village. At its centre stands a limestone tower and an elliptical building with a secondary sandstone tower that was added later. The ruins of smaller towers and bastion walls surround the central edifice, and beyond the walls are the packed remnants of circular dwellings, of which there may originally have been about 50.
The circular Capanna delle Riunioni (Meeting Hut) is the subject of considerable speculation. Its foundation wall is lined by a low stone bench, perhaps for a council of elders, and encloses a pedestal topped by a model nuraghe . One theory suggests there was actually a cult to the nuraghi themselves.
Between April and September, a single weekday bus runs to the site from Alghero (€1.50), otherwise you'll need your own transport.
