In addition to its picture-postcard beaches and splendid natural scenery, the Palau territory also offers a great deal of archaeological evidence. One thing particularly stands out for two reasons: small size and a ‘wrong’ structural element. The Giants’ Tomb of Li Mizzani is located about seven kilometres from the residential area, in the hinterland, in the locality of Monte Canu. As well as being smaller than most of the Nuragic tombs in Gallura, the characteristics of its stele are surprising: monolithic, but not arched, it does not stand on foundations but directly on the ground on one side and on a flat stone on the other. The door is the most curious aspect: you will notice that the internal perimeter of the face is worked and rounded and not the external one, as if the stele had been positioned the wrong way round.
Today, the tomb has no roof and has several slabs that were broken, probably to obtain stones for building the dry stone walls in the surrounding area. You will see the body of a tomb created using the row technique, with a chamber about six metres long, at the back of which natural rocks emerging from the ground were used. The wings of the exedra measure just under eight metres and have decidedly low slabs: some do not exceed 70 centimetres. In front of it, you will also notice the remains of a low counter-seat, complete only in the northern area. At its base - and in a short stretch above it - numerous ceramic fragments were found. Therefore, it was a place where votive offerings were deposited, but excavations have highlighted a further distinctive feature: they were only placed at the right wing of the exedra.
It is possible that the tomb served as a funeral area belonging to a village that revolved around the nearby complex nuraghe Luchìa. In the surrounding area, traces of another ten Nuragic towers can be found, while a few kilometres to the north-west lies the sacred area of Monte Saiacciu, with a Giants’ Tomb of considerable size, a megalithic circle, two menhirs and a rectangular building.
Once the archaeological tour is over, it's time to explore the scenic beauty of one of the most picturesque coastal towns in Gallura. Don't miss the climb to the Roccia dell’Orso (Bear Rock), a natural ‘sculpture’ and the symbol of the town; also worth a visit are the military battery of Talmone and the fortress of Monte Altura, while the beaches of Palau Vecchio, Porto Faro, La Sciumara and Cala Trana are real jewels along with the two ‘paradises’ for surfers and kitesurfers on the edges of s’Isuledda: Porto Pollo and Barrabisa.
