Iglesias - Villa di Chiesa

Porto Flavia is one of Sardegna's wonders. This extraordinary monument of industrial archaeology looms over an enchanting coastline, gifting visitors with a breathtaking vista of the thousand-shaded blue Masua sea, and on the evocative Pan di Zucchero sea stacks, a natural monument 133 metres (440 ft) tall.

A genuine engineering masterpiece which improved miners' life condition and reduced mineral transportation times and costs.

To fathom the scope of its revolution, it must be remembered that, before the construction of this port hanging between heaven and earth, minerals were loaded by hand on small sailing vessels (the so-called bilancelle) and brought to Carloforte port, from which large vessels distributed them all over the world.

When Porto Flavia was opened in 1924, everything changed. Minerals harvested in Masua and in nearby mines were transported by a narrow-gauge railway built inside the sea stacks and then loaded from the coaches into large moo tons silos. A system of conveyor belts, built in a tunnel under the silos, transported the minerals directly into the holds of large ships moored under the cliffs.

The port was given its name by engineer Cesare Vecelli. He gave the port his daughter's name. The port was operational until the 1960s.

During the Porto Flavia guided tour we walk on the upper tunnel until we reach for the terrace where we can enjoy a unique landscape

TICKETS

Tickets for the guided tour of Porto Flavia can be purchased only:

- on line clicking here
- at the ticket office in the Tourism Office in Piazza Municipio
- at the Porto Flavia ticket office (cash and cards)

The selected time slot is indicated on the ticket. We recommend to come to the ticket office 15 minutes earlier with the digital or paper receipt of the ticket. Please do not be late as you will be denied entry and there won't be any refunds.
The tour lasts about 1 hour and it will be on a flat, quite smooth dirt road. Therefore, depending on single cases, the site can be accessed by visitors with reduced mobility only if accompanied.
Please wear clothes suitable for a visit in a museum site. Do not wear swimsuits or skimpy clothing. Please wear closed shoes (avoid flip-flops or clogs).

PRICES

Standard: 10.00 euros
Concession (kids 6-12 y.o. and adults over 65): 6.50 euros
Groups (at least 20 paying adults): 8.00 euros

The number of visitors is limited due to safety measures. We strongly recommend to buy the ticket before the visit.
For groups above 25 peole please contact "ufficio del turismo" (tourism help desk)

For info:
Ufficio del Turismo
Piazza Municipio, 1 - 09016 Iglesias - CA
Tel. 0781.274507 - Mail: infoturistiche@comune.iglesias.ca.it
We don't accept TELEPHONE OR E-MAIL RESERVATIONS