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.
Discover the mining sites of Iglesias and their glorious history
The territory of Iglesias is undoubtedly the protagonist of the mining revolution in Sardinia. In the past, the high presence of mining resources attracted the great Mediterranean powers, who started an intense exploitation of the metal mines in the Iglesiente area. Today, the city bears witness to a glorious mining past acknowledged worldwide. Here are the mining sites that you can visit during your vacation in Iglesiente: Porto Flavia You cannot visit Iglesias and not stop by the “port” that revolutionized the system of mineral transportation. The port remained operational until the 1960s and was dismantled with the progressive abandonment of the area’s extraction activity. At the end of the 20th century, Porto Flavia underwent a restoration intervention and is now open to tourists through guided tours. DISCOVER PORTO FLAVIA Santa Barbara Cave Another jewel of the Iglesias territory is Grotta di Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara Cave). A surprising discovery made in 1952. During the excavation for the construction of a tunnel, workers found this spectacular cave. The large natural cavity was unknown to the scientific world because it was hidden inside the heart of the mountain. DISCOVER SANTA BARBARA CAVE Laveria Lamarmora It is one of the most fascinating and suggestive mining complexes throughout Sardinia. It is located in Nebida, a village of Iglesias, 15 kilometers away. From the original complex, it remains today, besides the amazing laundry on the sea, the construction of technical and administrative offices and the small mining village. DISCOVER LAVERIA LAMARMORA Monteponi The impressive complex just outside the city of Iglesias represents one of the sites included in the geo-mining park of Sardinia. It is one of the most fascinating and well-preserved sites of industrial archaeology. During its golden period, Monteponi hosted up to 1000 workers. During the mining era, the structures for the extraction activity were also built: Pozzo Sella and Pozzo Vittorio Emanuele, connected by the Galleria Villamarina. DISCOVER MONTEPONI
Iglesias in 3 days: exploring the mining town
Among the extraordinary towns of Southern Sardinia, Iglesias is definitely worth a visit. The city was once known in ancient Pisan as “Villa di Chiesa” before becoming “Iglesias” during the Spanish domination. Iglesias has just over 27,000 inhabitants and is famous for its wild coast and glorious mining past that has characterized it. The city is rich in cultural attractions, breathtaking landscapes, and ancient traditions. Here is a small 3-day itinerary with all the unique places of this magnificent territory! Day 1 To start getting to know Iglesias, there is nothing better than walking through its historic center. One of the most peculiar features of the city is undoubtedly the ancient medieval walls, whose good state of preservation can still be seen today. During the walk, you will surely be surprised to come across Piazza Lamarmora, a pretty square that turns into a triumph of colors during the summer thanks to the installation of small umbrellas. Iglesias is known for its numerous churches: the most important is undoubtedly the Cathedral of Santa Chiara , the first cathedral in the world dedicated to Saint Clare of Assisi. Given its mining past, to fully understand the city’s history, it is essential to visit the Museo dell’Arte Mineraria (Mining Art Museum) hosted in the Istituto Minerario Asproni (Asproni Mining Institute). Day 2 The city is so rich in cultural and natural attractions that on the second day of the visit, there will be many choices. In the historic center, on the top of the hill, stands the Salvaterra Castle, built in the medieval period, which now houses the permanent exhibition “Medieval History and Torture.” Another important place to visit is for sure the abandoned Monteponi Mine, one of the most fascinating testimonies of Sardinia’s mining history. In the past, the site was one of the main extraction plants in Italy, with modern buildings and state-of-the-art structures. To end the day, Piazza Sella plays a central role from a social point of view as a meeting place for citizens. The benches and large flower beds surrounding the centuries-old trees will provide a framework for a moment of relax. Day 3 The third day is dedicated to the exploration of the monument of industrial archaeology that revolutionized the mining industry in the area. Porto Flavia is a true engineering masterpiece that reduced the times and costs of mineral transport. In addition to the beautiful history of this place, the view from the mining site of Pan di Zucchero, one of the highest natural sea stack in Europe, is equally magnificent. The day continues at Laveria Lamarmora, one of the most suggestive monuments of the mining landscape. This place, so rich in history, is also one of the favorite photo spots in the Iglesias area. At sunset, the abandoned facility turns into an incredible landscape.
