What remains of the city are the fascinating ruins of predominantly Roman times: such as the marvelous amphitheater, originally covered in marble, and the baths, the paved streets, the forum, temples, villas.
It was the first Phoenician city in Sardinia, then Carthaginian, and finally a thriving Roman civic center. Formerly a commercial hub, by grace of its enviably positioned port, the archaeological site of Nora, in the municipality of Pula at a distance of 30 kilometers from Cagliari in South-Western direction, is a gem passed on to us through the ages, perhaps the most inspiring one of the entire island.
The original town which was founded by the Phoenicians (8th century BCE) stood in the vicinity of pre-existing nuragic settlements. It saw serious development from the 4th century BCE onwards, during the period of Punic domination, but in 238 BCE Nora was conquered by the Romans. Over the course of the next two centuries, it reached the pinnacle of its historical splendor, accommodating as many as eight thousand inhabitants. What remains of this city are the fascinating ruins of predominantly Roman times: such as the marvelous amphitheater, originally covered in marble, and the baths, the paved streets, the forum, temples, villas. And all this lies along a magnificent stretch of the coastline, caressed by crystal-clear water. Close to the ruins stands the Romanesque church of Sant’Efisio, at the site of the martyrdom of this warrior-saint, where it is annually recalled during the important Festival dedicated to him.
