Rocca Ruja

The region of Rocca Ruja extends on the eastern side of the plateau of Su Padru di Ossi, overlooking the valley of Badde Ivos. Featuring oak caducifogli woods, it houses some large specimens, alternating with Mediterranean stains and rupicole garighe, between 300 and 350 meters above sea level.

Among the rock formations there is one of the most precious caves of Muros' speleological heritage: On Puttu de Sa Rocca Ruja. The cave has two entrances, which lead to two parallel wells; one of these leads to a small cavity adorned by mineral concretions. Its length is 65 meters, with a total development of 90 meters and a maximum negative difference of 26 meters.

La Roverella (Quercus pubescens Willd.)

• Sardinian name (local variant): Chelcu, Rovaru
• Family: Fagaceae

The oak is a caducifoglio tree that can reach 25 meters high, sometimes with a bushy bearing. The young branches and the lower page of the leaves are covered by a thick layer of whitish hair, from which the name of the plant derives. It blooms between April and May and grows in a wide range of altitudes, from sea to 1200 meters.

In the territory of Muros, the oak is mainly distributed in the south-western part, while on the north-east side of Sa Rocca Ruja, on an area of about 10 hectares, is the only pure formation of this species. In addition, some isolated and velvety specimens can be observed, characterized by remarkable dimensions (10-15 meters high and 50-100 cm in diameter), considered monumental trees.

The Domus of Rocca Ruja

The domus of Rocca Ruja is a hypogeic tomb (excavated in the rock) with an architectural façade, a typology typical of the sassarese and introduced in the nuragic age (around 1300 BC). This structure reproduces on the rock the facade of the tombs of the giants.

Outside, an arcuate profile delimits the extruder. Near the facade there are two holes, where were originally small betiles. The interior consists of a single environment.

In 1942, the hypogean was restored and used as an anti-aircraft shelter. Today, the domus is classified as an archaeological monument.

Detritic limestone: Geological Composition

The site of Rocca Ruja is characterized by the presence of detritic limestone, an organogenic sedimentary rock belonging to the category of limestone rocks.

It is a whitish limestone, placed in banks of medium power tilted towards south-west. This substrate gave rise to the small plateau that dominates the Mascari valley, with high vertical walls, above which rises the village of Ossi.

The prevailing component is calcite, with the presence of subordinate amounts of detritic material, including quartz clasts and other silicates.