A treasure to explore for the unique allure of villages, plants, and buildings now abandoned and reclaimed by nature. A place to protect, in memory of the thousands of miners who spent their lives in the depths of the earth. The Historical and Environmental Geological and Mining Park of Sardinia was officially established in 2001, but as early as 1997, UNESCO had declared it the first site in its newly forming global network of recognized geosites. Though the network never fully materialized, the park remains a global pioneer of this category and a unique example thanks to its environmental, geological, and landscape features. Its uniqueness lies in the fusion of human activity and nature—a bond that has shaped landscapes and cultures, leaving behind an irreplaceable legacy of mining archaeology.
This is an ancient land, marked by a succession of geological events over the past 500 million years. As a result, various types of rich mineralizations formed. Their exploitation began with the obsidian trade in prehistoric times, followed by the use of bronze and lead in the Nuragic period, and then continued under the Punics, Romans, and Pisans. From the mid-19th century onward, over 250 mining concessions emerged across the island. The largest concentrations were in the southwest, southeast, northwest, and central areas—where the park’s eight zones are now located, covering nearly 3,800 square kilometers and spread across 86 municipalities.
The iconic mining buildings of the Iglesiente area rise near the sea, grouped within a few kilometers: the Lamarmora washing plant in Nebida, Porto Flavia in Masua, and Henry Tunnel in Buggerru. Further inland, just outside Iglesias, visitors are enchanted by the beauty of Santa Barbara Cave and the rich history of the Monteponi mining village. In the city, don’t miss the Mining Art Museum. Other natural and archaeological gems lie in nearby towns: San Giovanni Cave near Domusnovas, the Su Mannau caves and the Temple of Antas in Fluminimaggiore, the Matzanni archaeological site in Vallermosa, and the Nuragic village of Seruci in Gonnesa.
The Marganai mountain range, whose forests hide ghost villages and abandoned mining plants, connects to Monte Linas via the Oridda plateau. To the north stretches the Arburese-Guspinese area. Here too, water dominates: the spectacular Sa Spendula, Muru Mannu, and Piscina Irgas waterfalls, and the sea of the Costa Verde. The mining villages of Montevecchio and Ingurtosu recall fleeting eras of prosperity, shown in their elegant management buildings and technological advances. Countless trails lead from mountains to sea, inviting exploration by bike, horseback, or on foot.
The largest of the eight areas, Sulcis offers the greatest diversity of landscapes. It spans the southwestern tip of the island and surrounds the Gutturu Mannu Regional Park. Sulcis extends from San Pietro Island to Capoterra, with key mining remains in Carbonia (the Serbariu mine) and Narcao (the Rosas washing plant). Through the centuries, magnetic landmarks have appeared: the Castle of Acquafredda in Siliqua, the former cathedral of Santa Maria in the old village of Tratalias, the catacombs of Sant’Antioco, and the archaeological sites of Nuxis, Santadi, and Villaperuccio. The coastline shines with stunning beaches in charming locales: Portoscuso, Carloforte, Teulada, Chia, and Pula.
The Monte Arci area is an open-air museum. From pre-Nuragic and Nuragic legacies to 19th-century lollas, to Phoenician-Punic, Roman, and medieval (Judicate period) remnants in Oristano. The origin and history of obsidian trade are displayed at the Monte Arci Geomuseum in Masullas and the Obsidian Museum in Pau. Monte Arci is also a realm of greenery. The regional park spans 270 square kilometers and features holm oak forests, cork and downy oaks, and Mediterranean scrub. Cultural immersion accompanies nature discovery here, with a wealth of Romanesque churches, each uniquely characteristic.
The “silver route” is now a trekking and mountain biking trail winding through schist and granite cliffs, ancient junipers, Mediterranean scrub, streams, ghost towns, and remnants of tracks and wagons. It crosses the silver-rich Sarrabus area which, along with Gerrei, formed Sardinia’s second most important mining district in the 19th and 20th centuries. Remnants of that time include Tacconis (in Burcei), Monte Narba (San Vito), and Baccu Arrodas (Muravera). The Su Suergiu mine in Villasalto, known for antimony, is hidden in a forest that preserves the former extraction site and village, now home to a mining archaeology museum in the old administration building.
Between the Barbagia regions of Belvì and Seulo and Sarcidano, lies the Funtana Raminosa area—its name hints at the mineral once extracted here: copper. In Gadoni, the mine is a prime example of industrial archaeology, with equipment, galleries, shafts, and buildings. Its history dates back to the Nuragic era: tunnels and ancient worksites have been discovered, surrounded by bronze-age foundries. The surrounding mountains are home to mouflons and golden eagles. Natural marvels include the Sa Stiddiosa waterfall, Is Caddaias natural pools, and the Su Stampu 'e su Turrunu waterfall-tunnel, along with villages full of tradition: Seui, Aritzo, Sadali, Seulo, and Gadoni itself.
In central Sardinia lies the Orani-Guzzurra-Sos Enattos area, divided into two zones centered around spiritually significant mountains: Monte Gonare and Monte Albo. The Orani area was once home to marble and granite quarries, as well as talc and steatite mining in the early 20th century. Monte Gonare is a pilgrimage destination with a sanctuary at its summit, while the village preserves works by Nivola and Delitala. Further northeast, the territory of Lula hosts the Guzzurra and Sos Enattos mines, rich in lead, zinc, copper, and silver. Sos Enattos is a candidate site for the Einstein Telescope. Every October, Lula comes alive at dawn with a pilgrimage to the San Francesco Sanctuary.
The northwest and northeast join in the Argentiera-Nurra-Gallura area. The coast from Capo Caccia to Porto Palmas is a mosaic of natural beauty: the Neptune and Nereo caves, watched over by ancient Spanish towers, near sites where the Romans once mined silver-rich lead and zinc. Today, Argentiera is a captivating semi-abandoned village by the sea, hosting a museum and cultural events. In Gallura, granite is still extracted and exported worldwide. But it’s the colors and scents of this paradise-like coast that truly enchant visitors.
