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Industrial Archaeology

The mining site of Montevecchio

Essentially, industrial archaeology in this territory refers to mining activities. Indeed, the territory of the Province of Middle Campidano has been included in the Geo-mining Park of Sardinia, comprising a number of interesting and pleasant mining sites. Many of them are strongly evocative and sought for by tourists, onlookers and enthusiasts. Either located in proximity of the sea, or sunk in woodlands vegetation, they are usually inserted in most valuable and fascinating environmental settings.
The mining world also left its widespread, deep-rooted signs throughout the territory, along with its remarkable heritage of collective memory and human history. As a result, social balances and economic/production cycles were conveyed into the industrial mining centres and, consequently, throughout their territory.
Significant investments supported by local authorities have allowed the implementation of safety measures in various sites, aiming at their recuperation. Once marked by hard work and fatigue, those sites have been turned into coveted tourist places, enhanced by memories and evidence of their own past.
The chief mining sites of the area can be found in Arbus and Guspini, yet there are other significant places in Gonnosfanadiga, Villacidro, San Gavino and Sardara.

 

 

  • View of the centre of Ingurtosu with the Directorate Palace Arbus, mine and borough of Ingurtosu
    Between 1880 and 1900 the hamlet of Ingurtosu, now almost uninhabited, was one of the most populated mining centres of the area. It rose in the second half of 1800, when a number of workmen’s small houses were built around the earlier mining sites and the ‘Maria Teresa’ shaft building, later used as a post office...
  • Panoramic view of the facilities inserted in the marine resort Arbus, tuna-fishing factory of Flumentorgiu
    In the marine resort of Flumentorgiu, between the mouth of the streams Murtas and Schiamone, stands one of the most significant tuna-fishing factories of Sardinia. Built and activated around 1600, it was managed by different contractors. The insignia of the tuna-fishing station depicts a lion with a thick mane keeping a cross in its forelegs...
  • Restored building in the mine of ‘Perd'e Pibera’ Gonnosfanadiga, mine of ‘Perda ‘e Pibera’
    Built in the territory of Gonnosfanadiga in the first half of 1800, the mine was recognized as the major Sardinian ore of molybdenite, a most rare sulphur. During last century’s ‘30s, modern works and a few edifices were built, including the mine director’s residence and some houses meant for the workers...
  • Detail of the small palace of mining Directorate in Montevecchio, with the mining insignia Guspini-Arbus, mine and hamlet of Montevecchio
    The history of the mine of Montevecchio dates back to an ancient past, as the ruins found in the locality of Sciria, near a cropping-out lode, even refer to the pre-Nuragic age. Despite of that, the earliest document confirming the mining activity in the area dates back to 1628. It consists of an edict concerning the concession of Sardinian mines...
  • San Gavino foundry San Gavino Monreale, the foundry
    The foundry (San Gavino Monreale) was built during last century’s early Thirties. It was raised near the old private railway, built by the Montevecchio company in order to transport minerals to San Gavino and, from there, to the port of Cagliari...
  • The new railway station of San Gavino San Gavino Monreale, the railway station
    On 15th March, 1881, a solemn ceremony took place to inaugurate the railway line connecting Cagliari to Chilivani and, on the same day, the first train passed through San Gavino. The presence of the railway station played a significant role in the growth and development of the centre...
  • The mine of ‘Canale Serci’ Villacidro, mine of ‘Canale Serci’
    The mine of ‘Canale Serci’ has left a number of vestiges of edifices and structures: the works, miners’ houses and directorate building. This latter has been restructured and is now used to host the offices of the Forestry Authority of Sardinia...
  • A view of the wash-house by night Villacidro, the wash-house
    At the heart of the village, the ancient quarter called Frontera de sa Mitza hosts a wash-house of 1893, in Art Nouveau style, built for women to wash their laundry in a sheltered place. Consisting of more than thirty washing troughs in black trachyte of Serrenti, it is covered by an elegant and ample pavilion in iron and cast iron...