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9. Iglesias – Santa Barbara Cave, San Giovanni Mine

The Santa Barbara Cave provides the most stunning surprise effect in the Iglesiente tourist offer: a unique treasure in the world, made possible by human work and natural forces. Even the history of its discovery is surprising. In 1952, during excavation for the construction of an ascending tunnel, the incredible spectacle of this magnificent cave appeared before the amazed eyes of the miners who had demolished a rocky wall. The great natural cavity was completely unknown because it was hidden deep within the mountain. This site of great charm is located inside the San Giovanni Mine and is accessible through an intricate system of tunnels made accessible by a train that, after a 700-meter ride, leads to an elevator that rises along a shaft. From the entrance, located at the top of a spiral staircase, a real underground cathedral opens up, sparkling and majestic. The rock formations carve fascinating and colorful bas-reliefs making the cave a magic place. San Giovanni is one of the oldest mines in Sardinia, exploited during the Roman and Pisan periods, and perhaps even earlier during the Nuragic period.

Superlatives:

The great natural cavity was completely unknown because it was hidden deep within the mountain. The cave is an exemplary case for its dark brown tabular baryte crystals that cover the walls, between the ceroid limestone and the yellow silicified dolomite, formations from the Lower Cambrian period dating back to about 500 million years ago.

Useful information:

Opening days and hours: Opening hours vary. Usually on weekends; during the summer, also on other days. Check out our website for updated opening information.

Recommended visit duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Disabled access: yes, for details see website

Facilities for children: no

Picnic area: no

Gift shop: no

Email: infoturistiche@comune.iglesias.ca.it

Phone: +39 0781 274507

Website: www.iglesiasturismo.it/grotta-di-santa-barbara-e-miniera-di-san-giovanni

Address: Frazione San Giovanni Miniera, 09016 Iglesias

Geolocation: 39.28967325311526, 8.489984166817287