Iglesias

Iglesias is the mining city, historic capital of the Sulcis Iglesiente. The Pisans founded it in the 13th century as Villa di Chiesa, and the old town keeps its Pisan walls and towers, the cathedral of Santa Chiara, the church of San Francesco and a charming web of lanes and squares. For centuries it was the capital of silver and lead, with its own mint. Around the city are the Geo-mining Park's most spectacular sites: Monteponi, the ore-washing plants, Nebida and Masua facing the Pan di Zucchero sea stack, and Porto Flavia, the port carved into a cliff above the sea. The Museum of Mining Art tells the story, and the Spanish-style Holy Week rites are among the island's most moving.

What to see

• Old town e mura pisane
• Cathedral of Santa Chiara
• Church of San Francesco
• Porto Flavia
• Pan di Zucchero, Nebida e Masua
• Mine of Monteponi
• Museum: dell'arte mineraria

Festivals and traditions

• Riti della Settimana SantaHoly Week
• Madonna del Buoncammino, terza domenica di ottobreOctober

Nearby beaches

• Cala Domestica14 km
• Scivu24 km

Nearby hikes

• Cammino minerario di Santa Barbara12 km

Nearby towns

• Gonnesa · 7 km
• Villamassargia · 10 km
• Domusnovas · 11 km
• Musei · 12 km
• Fluminimaggiore · 14 km
• Buggerru · 15 km
• Carbonia · 16 km
• Portoscuso · 18 km

Sources: Grande Enciclopedia della Sardegna; ISTAT. Original texts by Gotosardinia.