The history of the site begins before the nuraghe was built: the area was frequented since the Late Neolithic.

Nuraghe Arresi dates to between the 15th and 9th century BC; studies have not distinguished the individual construction phases.

THE FORTIFIED CORE

The nuraghe consists of three towers built against one another. The main tower, to the north, is about twice the size of the others.

The walls are in cyclopean masonry, with large limestone blocks laid irregularly.

An entrance on the eastern side is topped by a large granite lintel. A corridor with two opposed niches leads to an inner courtyard.

An entrance with two thresholds and a long corridor is raised above the level of the courtyard and inner chamber. From the corridor a blind room and a steep staircase cut into the wall thickness are reached; the staircase originally led to the upper terrace.

The tholos ceilings and the terraced top of the monument no longer survive.

THE NURAGIC FOUNTAINS

To the east and west of the nuraghe are two Nuragic fountains.

The blind room along one corridor has been interpreted as a possible guard post; the raised niches of one chamber may have been used as beds.

The modern settlement of Sant’Anna Arresi grew around the nuraghe: after 1830 the first parish church was built nearby. Today the monument stands between the old and new churches, both dedicated to Sant’Anna.

In 1974 Enrico Atzeni and Remo Forresu excavated the nuraghe.

SardegnaCultura, “Sant’Anna Arresi, Nuraghe Arresi”.

IDESE, “Nuraghe Arresi”.

SardegnaTurismo, “Nuraghe Arresi”.

Heart of Sardinia, “Nuraghe Arresi”.

The name Arresi is linked to an ancient local toponym, also present in the name of the town of Sant’Anna Arresi.

According to one interpretation it derives from Campidanese arrèsi, “fox”, also shown in the municipal coat of arms.