Porto Flavia

About the museum

Porto Flavia is not a mine but a loading port for the ore extracted from the nearby mines of Masua, Montecani and Acquaresi, on the south-western coast of Sardinia. It was designed by the Venetian engineer Cesare Vecelli and built in 1924, in just two years, for the Belgian mining company Vieille Montagne; it was named after the engineer’s eldest daughter.

The structure is an unprecedented example of mining engineering: two superimposed galleries cut into the mountain above the sea, with nine silos between them capable of holding up to 10,000 tonnes of material. From the upper gallery the ore arrived on a Decauville railway; from the lower one a retractable conveyor belt loaded it directly onto ships at anchor, no longer requiring the small sailing boats that had previously carried it to Carloforte.

The plant remained in operation until the 1960s, when mining in the area was abandoned. After a restoration between the late 20th century and the early 2000s, it was opened to visitors and is now visited with a guide: visitors walk the upper gallery, about 600 metres long, and descend to the lower gallery by a staircase, with views of the Pan di Zucchero stack.

Highlights

• Loading port from 1924 carved into the rock above the sea
• Two superimposed galleries with nine large silos
• Retractable conveyor belt for loading ships
• View of the Pan di Zucchero stack

Operated by

Comune di Iglesias

Admission & discounts

Admission is limited: advance online booking is recommended, or tickets can be bought at the Ufficio del Turismo ticket desk in Piazza Municipio or at the site ticket office. Combined tickets are also available with the historic centre and the civic museums of Iglesias.

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 upper gallery is accessible to people with mobility difficulties, with a companion and subject to assessment of individual cases; the lower gallery is reached by a staircase of 108 steps, not recommended for pregnant women or people with mobility or heart problems.

Kids & families

Children under one year must be carried in a front baby carrier; staff provide a small protective cap.

Getting there & parking

By car: SS 130 Iglesiente to Iglesias, then SS 126 Sud Occidentale Sarda towards Gonnesa and, just before Gonnesa, SP 83, following the signs for Masua and Porto Flavia.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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