Iglesias, Medieval commune in Sulcis Iglesiente Coast, Italy
Iglesias is a commune in southwestern Sardinia, set among hills in the Sulcis-Iglesiente region. The old center preserves its medieval street grid with stone houses, squares, and staircases that climb along the slopes.
Pisan ruling families founded the settlement in the 13th century and fortified it with walls and castles. After the Aragonese conquest in 1324, the town came under Catalan administration, shaping its architectural development.
The town's name comes from the Latin word for churches, reflecting the early importance of religious buildings in the settlement. In the narrow streets of the old quarter, several houses of worship from different centuries still serve congregations and devotional gatherings.
Most sights lie within walking distance of the center, though some uphill paths require steady footing. The coast with former mining sites is a short drive westward.
In the cliffs northwest of town, a tunnel system opens where ore was once loaded directly onto waiting ships. The facility was carved in the 1920s without explosives, with workers advancing using only hammer and chisel.
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