On the peninsula of Capo di Pula, which lies some 32 km. west of Cagliari on the south coast of Sardinia, are the ruins of a Roman town overlying those of Punic date. The peninsula is shaped like a triangle; one corner now touches the mainland and forms a narrow isthmus of sand; the outer two corners are rocky promontories surrounded by scarps. Here stood the ancient town; excavation has revealed considerable urban remains, including the foundations of a temple of Tanit, with fine Punic masonry dating back to the fifth century B.C., a street plan with many houses, mainly Roman but some of Punic masonry and possibly dating to the sixth century B.C. In this area was the Roman theatre. At the base of the isthmus there are some Punic tombs along the shore and the Tophet; the earliest stelae may be of sixth century date but most appear to be late Punic in style. Nearby may be seen traces of a Roman aqueduct and the little Romanesque church of S. Efisio is still standing.
The site is generally accepted as that of the ancient Nora, one of the four principal Punic towns of Sardinia. Not only is this town known to have been near Cagliari, but a local inscription records a gift to the people of Nora made by Favonia Vera, and the dedication of the church recalls the tradition that S. Efisio was martyred at Nora.