Monte Sirai

Monte Sirai is an archaeological site on a plateau above Carbonia in Sardinia, with views across the surrounding landscape. Its remains include an ancient town, defensive walls, sanctuaries, access roads and burial grounds from different periods. Look for the temple dedicated to Astarte, the distinctive Fantar and Talco houses, and the Tophet. A guided visit can help explain how these parts fit together and what they reveal about the Phoenician settlement and later use of the site.

A settlement on the plateau

Monte Sirai stands on a plateau 191 metres above sea level, a short distance from Carbonia. The archaeological area includes the town, burial grounds, sanctuaries, fortifications and the routes that led into the settlement. The remains preserve evidence of different periods, from early use of the area to the Phoenician settlement founded in the eighth century BC.

The site’s position was strategic. Before the Phoenician settlement, a single-tower nuraghe stood on the summit, which provided access to mineral deposits. Two menhirs associated with a nearby giants’ tomb and two domus de janas, later reused as underground Punic tombs, add to the evidence of earlier activity.

Temple, houses and burial places

The northern gate leads to a small public square, with the temple of Astarte at its centre. The temple was a focal point of the community from its earliest days. The wider site includes sanctuaries, Punic necropolises and the Tophet, as well as the Fantar house and the Talco house, known for its skylight.

The different burial areas span more than one period. Some chamber tombs can be entered, giving a closer look at their underground spaces. A guided tour can help you distinguish the site’s structures and understand how the urban area, places of worship and burial grounds relate to one another.