Port Flavia is a fascinating harbor on the west coast of Sardinia that is home to a former mining complex. The extraordinary location of the abandoned mines, carved into limestone cliffs right above the sea, draws many visitors to the area.
The region has been mined for centuries, but it wasn’t until 1923 that the sea harbor was established. It takes its name from the daughter of the architect who designed the locale, Cesare Vecelli. Porto Flavia prospered in the early 20th century due to the mass extraction of coal, sulfur and minerals. However, during the 1990s, the mines closed because of a slump in the industry.
Walk through mine’s tunnels on a guided a tour and appreciate the ingenuity that went into their making. Although they are conducted in Italian, you will still find much of interest here if you can’t speak the language. See pieces of equipment and photographs of the old mining operations. Dioramas of miners at work help you to imagine what it was like working here. Climb up the stairway attached to the cliffs for impressive views of the craggy coastline and out to the Mediterranean.
Visit the Museum of Mining Machines to see the large machines that were once used for mining. Also on display are lots of tools and other apparatus.
Then go on a short trip to look around the villages of Nebida and Masua, where many miners used to live. From Nebida, walk along the scenic coastal path that miners used to take to get to the mines.
Port Flavia lies on the west coast of Sardinia and is 12 miles (19 kilometers) west of Iglesias. Throughout the day, there are regular buses from the town to the harbor, a journey around the mountains that can take up to 1 hour.
