Domus de Janas, the Sardinian 'fairy houses' become a world heritage site
The seal comes from Paris, where the Unesco Committee has decreed the inscription of the 17 sites on the island in the World Heritage List
2' min read
2' min read
Now there is the Unesco seal: the Domus de Janas, or 'fairy houses' in Sardinia are a World Heritage Site. The decision was made official in Paris, where the Unesco Committee ordered the inscription of the 17 sites present in Sardinia, in the World Heritage List. It is an eagerly awaited decision that closes a path started in 2018 by the Identity and Memories Study Centre that involved the Region and numerous municipalities with Alghero as the leader.
In Sardinia there are 3,500
.There are about 3,500 Domus de janas on the island, i.e. prehistoric rock-cut tombs dating from the Neolithic and Copper Age. The greatest concentration is in the north. Of the 3,500, 210 are decorated with symbols of beliefs and ritual practices and represent a unique testimony to the Sardinian pre-Nuragic civilisation.
Recognition of extraordinary importance
.For Region President Alessandra Todde, this is a 'recognition of extraordinary importance for Sardinia and for the whole of Italy'. "This result is the fruit of a choral effort by the Region, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Representation to UNESCO, Cesim, and the Sardinian municipalities involved,' she comments. 'It is a historic achievement that strengthens the sense of belonging of our communities and opens up new opportunities for growth: from the development of sustainable cultural tourism to the creation of employment, and the valorisation of the innermost territories and young local energies.
The 17 sites concerned
.The Unesco recognition concerns the Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju in Alghero, the necropolis of Puttu Codinu in Villanova Monteleone, then that of Monte Siseri / S'Incantu in Putifigari; that of Mesu e Montes in Ossi. And then Su Crucifissu Mannu in Porto Torres, Domus de janas of the Orto del Beneficio Parrocchiale in Sennori, Domus de janas of the Roccia dell'Elefante in Castelsardo. Also on the list are the Parco dei Petroglifi in Cheremule and the Necropolis of Sant'Andrea Priu and Sa Pala Larga in Bonorva, and that of Los Forrighesos in Anela. Further down, towards central Sardinia, there are the Ispiluncas necropolis in Sedilo, Mandas in Ardauli, Brodu in Onifesi, Istevene in Mamoiada, the Pranu Mutteddu archaeological park in Goni and the Montessu necropolis in Villaperuccio.
From the Region 15 million for valorisation
For Ilaria Portas, the councillor for Cultural Heritage, this is the 'final step in a process that has finally given Sardinia's ancient history the importance it deserves'. 'The domus de janas are a priceless testimony of prehistoric Sardinia and must be valorised to the maximum so that they can become a socio-economic attraction for the entire island. With this objective in mind, our councillorship has introduced a funding of 15 million euro that will allow the municipalities to carry out works to ensure the safety, accessibility and full usability of the sites recognised by Unesco'.
