The history of Predio Canopoli begins between the 9th and 8th century BC, when the first cult activities are documented; the cult buildings and the village were constructed in this period.

In Roman times the Nuragic village was reused.

THE WELL TEMPLE

Predio Canopoli was built on the edge of a slope. The position conditioned its design: a retaining wall and a channel system allowed the water coming from the hill to be controlled, filtered and conveyed towards the well.

The temple consists of three main elements: the forecourt, the staircase and the circular well chamber.

The rectangular paved forecourt has two stone benches. From the forecourt the staircase descends towards the underground well chamber.

The almost circular chamber is paved with limestone slabs and covered by a tholos, the false dome obtained by progressively projecting the stone courses towards the centre.

THE ARCHITECTURE OF WATER

What distinguishes Predio Canopoli is the flow and use of water: both rainwater and infiltration water were filtered and conveyed to the circular chamber through a channel system.

Next to the channels, a massive wall of large volcanic blocks filtered the water before it entered the circular chamber and countered the pressure of the ground.

THE VILLAGE AND MATERIALS

Around the cult buildings, research has identified the remains of a protohistoric settlement, later reused in Roman times.

The temple is built with regular, uniform white limestone blocks (isodomic masonry). The technical skill is visible in the regular joints and in the dovetail-shaped blocks, allowing precise interlocking.

Rituals linked to the cult of water were performed in the temple.

The other rooms near the well temple are also cult spaces, as shown by the many figurative bronzes, nuraghe models, bronze daggers and lithic materials found.

After the chance discovery of the site in 1924, Antonio Taramelli documented the plan of the well temple and decided to rebury it to protect it, given its delicate position in the town centre.

The temple came to light again in 1979. From 1982 research extended to the surrounding area and continued until the early 1990s, together with restoration work.

Predio Canopoli_Perfugas_RAG_AD_Master.docx, project master document.

Campus F., Pitzalis G. 2012, “Perfugas. Il complesso cultuale di Predio Canopoli”.

Rivista di Scienze Preistoriche, XXXIX, 1-2 (1984), Notiziario.

Desantis P. et al. 1982, “Ricerche e scoperte nella Sardegna centro-settentrionale 1980-1982”.

SardegnaCultura; SardegnaTurismo; Donna Nuragica.

In 1924 Domenico Canopoli was digging a well on his property and intercepted the ancient building. The sacred well takes its name from the landowner.