Sulcis-Iglesiente
The Land of Mines
The territory of Sulcis Iglesiente, has been exploited since the ‘Nuragic era because of the presence of metal, in fact we are in one of the areas of Sardinia with the highest concentration of minerals of the metalliferous type, such as lead, zinc, and galena a mineral that contains within it the’ silver. In medieval times it was mined particularly in the Iglesiente area, especially in the Pisan era by Count Ugolino della Gherardesca who helped found the city of Iglesias. We find in this territory some of the most exclusive places in Sardinia, such as Porto Flavia, a majestic work of engineering created by Cesare Vecelli between 1922 and 1924.After a mining route that crosses the mountain, we are enraptured by the spectacle of the sea overlooking the “Gulf of the Lion”.
The Mine Walk of Santa Barbara
The Mining Walk of Saint Barbara, patron saint of miners, winds for about 500 km and crosses places of great beauty and charm, linked to the mining culture that has shaped not only the economic but also the social history of Sulcis- Iglesiente. The journey begins in Iglesias, the most important mining town in the industrial era and already famous during the Middle Ages for the great presence of silver, passing through places that retrace the routes that miners took to get to work, the itinerary, however, is not only mining, in fact we find landscapes still unspoiled among the green of the Mediterranean scrub, the mountains and the blue of the sea.
Sulcis: A Trip to the Past
The territory formerly called Sulki in Phoenician times was a crucial point for the trade of the Phoenician civilization, located especially in what is now called the ‘Island of Sant’ Antioco, we find evidence of this ancient past in the archaeological museum Ferruccio Barreca that inside holds important evidence of the life of the ancient Phoenician peoples,we also find traces of the Roman past of the island with its necropolis, the ‘ancient Roman bridge that stands for more than 2000 years. We also find the cathedral of St. Antiochus whose original layout dates from the 5th century and early 6th century, is dedicated to the patron saint of Sardinia.
