Miniera di Monteponi - Galleria Villamarina
Guided walking tour of the Villamarina Gallery, dug in 1852 to link the Sella and Vittorio Emanuele shafts in the Monteponi mining complex.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Monteponi mining complex, on the edge of Iglesias, came into being in the mid-19th century thanks to a concession from the Kingdom of Savoy. The works were first directed by the Hungarian engineer Giulio Keller and then by the very young Adolfo Pellegrini, and gave rise to the Bellavista building, the seat of the management, housing for miners, shops, some washeries and the extraction plant, including the Sella and Vittorio Emanuele shafts. At the peak of its activity the mine employed up to a thousand workers.
The Villamarina Gallery takes its name from the Marquis of Villamarina, viceroy of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and was dug in 1852 at 174 metres above sea level to connect the two shafts: the Sella shaft had been designed to extract the water that prevented the mining of the ore, while the Vittorio Emanuele shaft served to transport people and minerals.
The guided tour lasts about 50 minutes and runs on the level, over a fairly even earth floor, offering a real immersion in the underground world of the mine.
Highlights
- Villamarina Gallery, dug in 1852 at 174 m above sea level
- Sella and Vittorio Emanuele shafts
- Abandoned mining village of Monteponi
- Guided tour on the level, also in English
Permanent exhibition
- Galleria Villamarina e villaggio minerario di Monteponi – Guided route through the gallery that linked the Sella and Vittorio Emanuele shafts, with explanations of the life of the miners and of excavation techniques.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6.50children aged 6 to 12, over 65s and pilgrims on the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara with credential |
| Students & apprentices | €6.50School rate, not available online. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €8 per personGroups of at least 20 paying adults; for groups of more than 25 people, contact the Tourist Office. |
Visitor numbers are limited: it is advisable to buy the ticket in advance, online, at the Iglesias Tourist Office (piazza Municipio 1) or at the gallery ticket office. Bookings are not accepted by telephone or e-mail. Visitors should present themselves at the ticket office with the paper or digital receipt 15 minutes beforehand; latecomers lose the visit without refund.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The route runs on the level over a fairly even earth surface: subject to case-by-case assessment, the site is accessible, with a companion, also to people with motor disabilities.
Kids & families
Children must walk for the whole visit; those who cannot walk on their own should be carried in a baby carrier. Reduced rate for ages 6 to 12.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Closed shoes are compulsory and a jacket or sweatshirt is recommended. Animals are not admitted. Further contacts given by the Ministry of Culture: +39 0781 491 300, segr.dir@igeaminiere.it. |
