Porto Flavia

About

The Porto Flavia isn’t a relic of some lost civilization, but rather, a 20th century construction made to solve a mining logistics problem. Ore was originally loaded onto small boats to be transported to steam ships waiting at Carloforte, but storms would often sink these smaller vessels, holding things up for weeks on end. So the owners of the mining operation approached engineer Cesare Vecelli to find a solution. After surveying the coast, Vecelli found a sheltered cove where steamships could moor, and proposed a system of tunnels that would bring the ore to a port created in the cliff face and lowered directly into the waiting steamship below. The result was an astounding 70% decrease in production costs. On a guided tour, you’ll walk through this industrial wonder, learn about mining history, and be treated to unparalleled panoramic views of the Masua sea and Pan di Zucchero sea stacks. Tours must be booked in advance at http://www.visitiglesias.comune.iglesias.ca.it/it/vacanza/biglietteria-online/