Iglesias: itinerary to discover churches and sanctuaries
Iglesias translated from Spanish means “churches,” and this is no coincidence. The city actually has 24 parishes. The numerous churches can be grouped based on the historical periods in which they were built. Among the oldest, built according to the sacred Byzantine architecture, we remember the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate dating back to the 10th-11th century and the Church of Santo Salvatore whose construction can be traced back to the period between the 9th and 11th centuries. Among the churches of Pisan origin, the Church of Beata Vergine Maria di Valverde stands out, which, like the Cathedral of Santa Chiara, shows Roman architecture. They are followed by the Church of Nostra Signora delle Grazie and the Cathedral of Santa Chiara, the first Christian cathedral in the world dedicated to Chiara d’Assisi and a testimony of the transition from Roman to Gothic architecture. Iglesias boasts a glorious past, especially during the Catalan-Aragonese domination, whose traditions are still vivid during the Holy Week. During that period, between the 14th century and the beginning of the 17th century, numerous churches were built, including the Church of San Francesco, the Church of San Michele, that of San Domenico, and the Church of San Giuseppe. The Church of Vergine Purissima was built, which represents the only example of a church in the city built according to the architectural canons of the Counter-Reformation. Around the 1630s, the Sanctuary of Vergine del Buon Cammino was built, which today is part of the first stage of the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara Mining Path).
Civic Museums of Iglesias
CIVIC MUSEUMS TOUR The Civic Museums tour includes visits to two museums: the Mining Art Museum and the Mineralogy Museum, both located in the Mining Institute Museum. These museums aim to preserve and showcase all the tools that in the past allowed miners to master the rock, becoming the creators of a mining culture that for centuries was the center of the city’s social and economic life. Inside the Mining Institute Museum, you can see machines that were already used in mines at the end of the 1800s, as well as approximately 400 meters of educational galleries built by the institute’s students starting from 1934. The entire museum collection consists of nearly 3800 mineralogical, petrographic, and fossil specimens from around the world, enriched by a collection of about a hundred archaeological artifacts from mining activities dating back to the Nuragic, Phoenician-Punic, Roman, Pisan medieval, and Aragonese periods. The Civic Museums Tour can be combined with the Historical Center Tour.
Iglesias Old Town
DISCOVER THE HISTORICAL CENTER OF IGLESIAS WITH OUR GUIDES Starting point: Iglesias Tourism Office, Piazza Municipio, 1, 09016 Iglesias SU Duration: 1 hour Explore the historical center of Iglesias on foot with our tour guides. Iglesias represents the testimony of a glorious past, that of a city formerly known as the Villa di Chiesa. Take a stroll through the streets of the historical center and admire the wonders of the city: from the churches to the Pisan walls; from the museums to the grand squares, gathering places for citizens and tourists. Let yourself be carried away by our guides who will tell you the history of the city, its main attractions, and some anecdotes about the daily life of the ancient Villa di Chiesa. The Historical Center Tour can be combined with the Civic Museums tour, which includes a visit to the Mining Art Museum and the Mineralogy Museum.
Porto Flavia
Porto Flavia is an unmatched monument of industrial archaeology. It is a mining structure that is no longer operational, overlooking the beautiful southwestern coast of Sardinia. Every year, tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world are fascinated by the work that revolutionized the system of mineral transport in the 20th century. 1. THE HISTORY OF PORTO FLAVIA Despite being part of the Masua mining complex, Porto Flavia has never been a mine, but rather a shipping port for material extracted from nearby mines. The port was designed by the Venetian engineer Cesare Vecelli and built in 1924. In just two years, an unprecedented mining engineering work took shape and was named after the engineer’s eldest daughter, Flavia. The construction The work was carried out by excavating two overlapping tunnels inside the mountain. The upper gallery was used to unload the extracted materials, and the lower one to load them onto ships through a retractable conveyor. Between the two galleries, nine enormous silos were installed, capable of holding up to 10,000 tons of mining material. The port remained operational until the 1960s when it was gradually abandoned with the termination of mining activities in the area. In the 2000s, Porto Flavia underwent a restoration intervention and is currently open to tourists through guided tours. 3. HOW TO GET THERE To reach Porto Flavia, take the State Road 130 Iglesiente to Iglesias, then take the State Road 126 Southwest Sardinia towards Gonnesa. Just before arriving in Gonnesa, take Provincial Road 83 following the signs for Masua and Porto Flavia. Near the mining site there is a small parking fee, after about 200 meters walk you reach the ticket office. 4. TICKETS AND USEFUL INFORMATION For safety reasons, access to the mining site is limited, so it is strongly recommended to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets for the guided tour of Porto Flavia can be purchased: Due to extraordinary maintenance works, visits to Porto Flavia mining site will take place only in the upper gallery up to the sea overlook.Until further notice,the tour will still have the same duration, which is 50 minutes.We apologise for the inconvenience caused. English tour at 11 am – 12 am – 2 pm – 4 pm – 6 pm The guided tour lasts about 50 minutes and takes place on a fairly regular dirt path. For this reason, with the necessary evaluations applicable to individual cases, the site is accessible, with the presence of a guide, to those with motor disabilities. It’s recommended to arrive at the ticket office, with the paper or digital ticket receipt, 15 minutes in advance. Latecomers will not be admitted and will not be entitled to a refund. We also recommend sporty clothing and it is mandatory to have closed and comfortable shoes. Mandatory clothing suitable for visiting a museum site (no swimsuits, heels and flip-flops).Pets are not allowed, children under one year of age must be transported with the use of a front baby carrier and a small protective headgear that will be provided by on-site staff. PRICES Full: 10.00 € Reduced (children aged 6/12 and seniors +65): 6.50 € Groups (at least 20 adults): 8.00 € Schools: 6.50 € (not available for purchase online) For groups larger than 20 people, please contact the Tourism Office. INFORMATIONS Address: Ufficio del Turismo Piazza Municipio, 1 – 09016 Iglesias – SU Telephone: +39 0781 274507 E-mail: infoturistiche@comune.iglesias.ca.it Telephone or email reservations are not accepted. 5. WHAT TO SEE NEAR PORTO FLAVIA Porto Flavia is one of the wonders of the Iglesiente coast, but it is not the only one. Here are other suggestive places to visit nearby: Pan di Zucchero It’s the highest sea stack of the Mediterranean with its 133 meters of height. You can admire it from Porto Flavia, Masua beach or from the sea. In limited periods it’s also a popular destination for for rock climbing enthusiasts. Masua Beach Masua beach is located in Iglesias. It’s a beach with fine golden sand. The sea has a mainly sandy bottom and a different color depending on the reflections. Laveria Lamarmora It is a former facility that was used for sorting and washing minerals, a task predominantly carried out by women. Today, the structure, or at least what remains of it, dominates the magnificent Nebida cliff and is one of the favorite backgrounds for souvenir photos in the Iglesiente area.
Events in Iglesias: immerse yourself in the city’s culture
There are numerous sports, cultural, musical, artistic, or religious events held in the characteristic medieval streets and squares of Iglesias throughout the year. Holy week The rites during Holy Week in Iglesiente are certainly among the most suggestive in Sardinia. The processions take place from Tuesday to Friday preceding Easter. Hypnotic and engaging, the city serves as a backdrop for the processions. Holy Tuesday: Procession of the Mysteries The cross of the Archconfraternity opens this procession, the oldest one with that of the descent: the procession of the Mysteries. The Baballotti carry the simulacra on their shoulders, the first of which is particularly heavy and requires several days of preparation on the Holy Mountain. Only two children, in the traditional penitential dress of the Baballotti, participate; they will represent St. John and Mary Magdalene in the procession of the descent on Good Friday. The other children are not included from this procession: their days will be Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Holy Thursday: Procession of the Sorrowful Mother It’s one of the most important days: it commemorates the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, the priesthood; the beginning of the Passion of Jesus. It’s a day rich in events and meanings: two Masses mark the rhythm of this long day: in the morning the Chrism Mass and in the evening the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Afterward, in all the churches, the Blessed Sacrament is solemnly placed in a richly decorated side chapel. The decoration, in addition to veils, carpets, flowers, and candles, includes “Su Nenniri”: pots in which wheat and lentils are sown at the beginning of Lent. The “Baballottis” are the protagonists of Holy Week: white, hooded, without a face and without time, they materialize on this day; of all ages, some still in their mother’s arms, some already grandfathers for a long time. They take over the streets of the historic center before the processions. In the late evening, the procession of the Sorrowful Mother sets off from the Oratory of the Holy Mount, the Church of San Michele. Good Friday: Procession of the Mount and Procession of the Descent In the morning, the upper district of “Sa Costera” becomes the stage for the procession of the Mount, the ascent to Calvary. The “Via Dolorosa” features the simulacrum of Jesus with the cross and that of the Sorrowful Mother accompanying him. The various churches are visited with a procession composed of: “matracconis,” a drum, the cross of the Archconfraternity, Baballotti, the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, simulacra, and the Germani of the Holy Mount preceding the statue of the Virgin of Piety. In the evening, the most anticipated procession takes place, that of the Descent. During the procession, the simulacrum of the Dead Jesus is carried covered by a veil of tulle and under a white canopy signifying royalty. The Germani of the Holy Mount is followed by the Sorrowful Mother holding the crown of thorns to her chest; then finally, the large black cross carried on the shoulders of penitents without attire or special sign. Celebration of Sancta Maria di Mezo Gosto: Descent of the Candelieri The great historical tradition of the Celebration of Sancta Maria di Mezo Gosto (Mid-August), with the participation of the Candelieri, began to take form in 1992, when the column of what had been a Candelieri was found in a small room near the Capitolium Hall. This was skillfully restored by a craftsman from Iglesias and placed in the Candelieri of the Santa Chiara district from which it probably originated. Iglesias has eight Candelieri. In the “Breve,” three chapters are dedicated to the Celebration of Sancta Maria di Mezo Gosto with various rules to observe, among which one is related to the release of prisoners, men and women, on the day of the Assumption of the Virgin. The candles were so large that they remained lit for an entire year and no one could take them down, under penalty of having to pay 10 pounds of small alfonsini. The candelieri are four meters tall and require 16-20 people for transportation. Ottobrata iglesiente Every year, in October, the city comes to life thanks to the Ottobrata Iglesiente. A rich showcase of events dedicated to citizens and visitors of all ages. A month of numerous cultural events, such as literary contests and book presentations; entertainment and spectacle with musical concerts, theatrical performances, and shows for children; but also sports events such as climbing and athletics. There are also events dedicated to tradition, such as workshops on bread and pasta or embroidery. An excellent opportunity to get to know the city, its history, and its customs. Medieval events Every year, in August, the Society of Medieval Quarters Villa Ecclesiae together with the Municipality of Iglesias take care of the organization of the Historical Medieval Parade. A unique show in which men, women, and children parade in medieval costumes. The parade takes place through the streets of the historic center of the city accompanied by drums and trumpets. At the end of the parade, the Crossbow Tournament takes place, which recalls the siege suffered by the city in the 14th century by Alfonso V of Aragon. Celebration of Madonna delle Grazie The Celebration of Madonna delle Grazie is celebrated on the second Sunday of July every year. During the Eucharistic celebration, the Mayor of Iglesias on behalf of the Municipality and the Iglesiente people renews the ancient vow to the Madonna by rereading the Supplication and offering a candle as a thanksgiving for the liberation from the voracious locusts that for twenty years had devastated the fields, flagellating a population already affected by drought and plague.
Cammino of Santa Barbara: all the stages
The Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara Mining Path) is a religious and cultural itinerary that spans about 500 km along the southwestern part of Sardinia, in the Sulcis-Iglesiente-Guspinese region. The spiritual journey crosses sea, mountains, and mines, following the glorious mining past of Sardinia. A consistent presence along the path are the churches dedicated to the worship of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners. The itinerary is divided into 30 stages, each about 16 km long, and almost 75% of the journey is on footpaths, mule tracks, dirt roads, and unpaved driveways, while the remaining 25% is on paved roads in urban centers and short rural stretches. The journey starts from the city of Iglesias, and after covering the 500 km path, returns to the same city. The altitude ranges from sea level to an elevation of 900 meters in the Marganai mountain range, and during the journey, there are opportunities to visit the numerous mining sites that have made history in the area. The stages: Stage 01 – From Iglesias to Nebida Stage 02 – From Nebida to Masua Stage 03 – From Masua to Buggerru Stage 04 – From Buggerru to Portixeddu Stage 05 – From Portixeddu to Piscinas Stage 06 – From Piscinas to Montevecchio Stage 07 – From Montevecchio to Arbus Stage 08 – From Arbus to Perd’e Pibera Stage 09 – From Perd’e Pibera to Villacidro Stage 10 – From Villacidro to Monti Mannu Stage 11 – From Monti Mannu to Arenas Stage 12 – From Arenas to Su Mannau Stage 13 – From Su Mannau to San Benedetto Stage 14 – From San Benedetto to Marganai Stage 15 – From Case Marganai to Domusnovas – Museums Stage 16 – From Musei to Orbai Stage 17 – From Orbai to Rosas Stage 18 – From Rosas to Nuxis Stage 19 – From Nuxis to Santadi Stage 20 – From Santadi to Is Zuddas Stage 21 – From Is Zuddas to Masainas Stage 22 – From Masainas to Candiani Stage 23 – From Candiani to Tratalias Stage 24 – From Tratalias to Sant’Antioco Stage 25 – From Sant’Antioco to Carbonia Stage 26 – From Carbonia to Nuraxi Figus Stage 27 – From Nuraxi Figus to Carloforte Stage 28 – From Carloforte to Portoscuso Stage 29 – From Portoscuso to Bacu Abis Stage 30 – From Bacu Abis to Iglesias
The old town of Iglesias: guide to its main attractions
Iglesias is a pleasant and peaceful town, its historic center is rich in attractions related to its history. Not everyone knows that the history of Iglesias is intertwined with that of Count Ugolino della Gherardesca, a historical figure and character in Dante’s Divina Commedia. The territory was assigned to the count in the second half of the 1200s and, thanks to his noble family, numerous buildings, both religious and secular, were built that still dominate the city today. These include the Salvaterra Castle, the Cathedral of Santa Chiara, and the Church of Beata Vergine Maria di Valverde. Visiting Iglesias means coming across the medieval walls, built by the Pisans between the 13th and 14th centuries. The ancient walls run along the historic center, including the Castle, Fountain, Saint Clare, and Mezo neighborhoods. The best-preserved part is the northern one. Inside the walls, the historic center extends, the scene of lively city life: Piazza Lamarmora, dominated by the statue of Maimone, a Phoenician deity, probably linked to the cult of water, from there along Via Sarcidano and Vico Duomo, you reach Piazza del Municipio. Here stand the impressive monuments of the City Palace and the Cathedral of Santa Chiara united by a gallery to the Bishop’s Palace, the result of various renovations carried out between 1763 and 1782. Continuing on Via della Decima, you arrive at Via Angioy, where the old prisons stand, now the Municipal Historical Archive and the custody place of the ancient city statute. Continuing the walk, you cross Via Lamarmora, a lively commercial street filled with Liberty-style buildings, proof of the economic prosperity that characterized the city in the early 1900s. Just outside the walls is Piazza Sella, considered by all Iglesients to be the focal spot of the city, the magnificent Istituto Minerario (Mining Institute), and the suggestive Monumental Cemetery.
Iglesias for everyone: children, seniors, and disabled
Iglesias is a city for everyone. The numerous activities and attractions allow for an unforgettable vacation tailored to individual needs. Activities for children Iglesias is the perfect city for those traveling with children. Thanks to its museums, mining sites, and natural parks, they can learn and have fun at the same time. Porto Flavia is an excellent example of how they can learn about the mining history of Sardinia; the view of the sea will certainly leave them speechless. A very suggestive visit, both for adults and children, is the visit to Grotta Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara Cave): inside, dark brown tabular barite crystals cover the walls. To conclude, a must-see of the trip, the Parco del Marganai (Marganai Natural Park), inside which there are playgrounds for children and a botanical garden to discover the characteristics of the plants that grow in this territory. Activities for seniors Even senior citizens can enjoy the city and plan their vacation. The historic center of Iglesias offers many opportunities for those who want to spend peaceful days. Don’t miss out on Piazza Lamarmora and Piazza Sella, meeting places for the people of Iglesias and visitors to the city. The tour of the churches of Iglesias is very interesting, starting from the Cathedral of Santa Chiara, the first cathedral in the world dedicated to Saint Claire of Assisi, and then moving on to churches from the Pisan period such as the Church of Nostra Signora delle Grazie, and churches from the Catalan-Aragonese period such as the San Francesco one. Activities for people with disabilities There are many activities and attractions that people with disabilities can visit. We recall the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Chiara in Piazza Municipio, the Galleria Villamarina (Villamarina Gallery), the Museo del Costume e delle Tradizioni (Museum of Costume and Traditions), and the Museo Dell’Arte Mineraria (Mining Art Museum), excluding the gallery. In particular, for Porto Flavia, the Tourist Office provides special wheelchairs that do not sink into the ground during the visit, allowing you to visit the upper gallery. You can take advantage of this service by calling the Tourist Office in advance at +39 0781274507 or by writing an email to infoturistiche@comune.iglesias.ca.it
What to eat in Iglesias: traditional dishes
Sardinian cuisine is a triumph of flavors: from the main courses to dessert. Sardinian culinary tradition involves the use of local ingredients for its delicious recipes. The Iglesias area is no exception and carries on the tradition with authentic-tasting dishes. Here are the dishes to try absolutely during a vacation in Iglesias:
Wild Iglesias: for those who love nature and the outdoors
The Sulcis Iglesiente is a territory characterized by wild and still pristine nature. Crystal clear waters, breathtaking landscapes, and evidence of ancient civilizations are the protagonists of this place waiting to be discovered. The beaches of Sulcis, each with their own characteristics and uniqueness, differ in the green-blue color of the sea and the Mediterranean area that surrounds them. Masua Beach, among the most famous on the coast, was once a natural port. On the left side, it is possible to visit Porto Flavia, an important mineral storage facility in the 1950s. The coastline overlooks Pan di Zucchero, a natural sea stack of 133 meters reachable by sea. Nearby is Bega Sa Canna Beach, a small beach made of light gray sand, shells, and pebbles. The colors of the sea take on different shades depending on the sunlight and the height of the sun. In the surroundings stands the cliff of Castello dell’Iride, a spectacular place for climbing, among the most beautiful and famous in Sardinia. Another must-visit stop when visiting Iglesias is Cala Domestica Beach, which still preserves ruins of warehouses, depots, and galleries excavated by miners dating back to the 1940s. In this place, nature is the protagonist: the impressive white limestone cliffs make the beach a real paradise. Not only beaches but also natural parks like the Marganai. The wide forest (3,650 hectares in the eastern and northern sectors) is crossed by numerous paths, many of which are very suggestive. Long forest dirt roads and trails cross old mining villages and lead to the peaks of Porta San Michele’s and Porta Campu Spina. Inside the forest lies the Linasia Botanic Garden, a charming botanical garden dedicated to the numerous species of endemic plants in the Linas territory, with a special area dedicated to butterflies. Within the garden, some plant specimens are cultivated where these beautiful insects fly more easily.
