Discover the wonders of Iglesiente, the territory where Sardinia reveals its most authentic face, between sea, villages and ancient mines.
Sulcis Iglesiente is an archaic land that will conquer your heart with historic towns from the glorious past, natural landscapes of extraordinary beauty and a unique archaeological heritage.
Index of Article
Sulcis Iglesiente what to see
1. Geominerario, Historical and Environmental Park of Sardinia
Do not expect the usual nuraghi and tombs of the giants (or at least not only), but the remains of the laborious mining civilization, devoted for centuries to extractive activity, enclosed in Geominerary Park, History and Environmental of Sardinia, the first of this type made in the world, recognized in 1997 as World Heritage by UNESCO.
Between peak cliffs, silent valleys and a turquoise sea are scattered a hundred mines, from which they extracted lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron, silver and, of course, coal. Disposed for some time, some of these jewels of industrial archaeology have recently been valued for tourist purposes and represent the stages of a suggestive itinerary between land and sea.
To be able to move easily, you should reach the island by boat with your car below, looking for the best travel solutions on sites of ferry tickets to Sardinia that offer services of different companies.
2. Iglesias
For the accommodation, instead, make base to Iglesias, one of the most important centers of medieval origin of Sardinia where there are also good hotels and bed&breakfast, and from here you start to discover the area. Not before but having deepened the knowledge of this town that from the name reveals the presence of a significant number of churches, almost all dating back to 1300 and preserving valuable works of art.
Not at all his original name was Villa di Chiesa. Some of the most interesting buildings are linked to the mining world Iglesias, like the Asproni Mining Institute, home to the Museum of Mining Art with galleries and the Art Nouveau building of the early twentieth century and the Museum of Mine Machinery.
3. Miniature of Sulcis Iglesiente
Around the city is the most important and fascinating mining complex in Europe with the old wells and red mountains, from the Monteponi mine (pipe, zinc, cadmium), which was the heart of all the extractive activity of the Iglesiente, to the countless mining villages scattered around, such as Seddas, Moddizzis, Acquaresi, Malacalzetta, Tiny, Arenas.
Following the mines road, the first stop is in Gonnesa, at San Giovanni mine with his Santa Barbara cave, unique in the world for the beautiful walls entirely covered with dark brown crystals. Then reach the beautiful iglesiente coast, a stretch of sea among the most enchanting of the Mediterranean, all beaches and coves, between Cala Domestica, Nebida and Masua, in whose cliffs is nestled Porto Flavia, suspended between sea and sky.
It is an ingenious complex of superimposed tunnels dug into the mountain that allowed the minerals to be transported directly into the cargo bay. The visit is really exciting. You can walk through the tunnel to a cliff that reveals a spectacular view, with the sea below you, the Sugar Pan in front and a panorama that embraces the entire Gulf of Gonnesa to the Island of San Pietro.
4. Gallery Henry
Then the coast towards Buggerru, the center built around the leadzinciferous mine of Malfidano, active for a century until 1977. In addition to beautiful beaches you can visit the gigantic and spectacular Henry Gallery, the most important structure of the Planu Sartu mine, which is daringly overhanging the sea with tunnels and tunnels carved into the rock.
The monumental dimensions are due to the fact that it was built to allow even the passage of a steam locomotive for the transport of minerals. Today it is a suggestive labyrinth open to the public, which you can visit safely and that through a series of openings in the rock will also give you extraordinary views of the wonderful sea of Sardinia.
