Porto Flavia, Mining port museum in Iglesias, Italy
Porto Flavia is a mineral loading facility carved into rock along the coast of Iglesias in the province of South Sardinia. The structure consists of two overlapping passages that run through the mountain and end at a vertical limestone wall above the water.
The facility opened in 1924 following plans by engineer Cesare Vecelli to transfer zinc and lead from surrounding mines directly onto cargo ships. Operations ended in the 1960s when demand for Sardinian ores declined and extraction ceased.
The name honors Flavia Vecelli, daughter of the designing engineer, whose vision transformed ore transport along this coast. Workers from across Italy met here and brought their own traditions, which remain visible in nearby villages today.
Guided visits follow a fixed route through both levels and last about one hour, with groups welcomed in several languages. Temperature inside stays cool year-round, so a light jacket is recommended even in summer.
The mechanical arms that loaded ore onto waiting ships were powered by a conveyor system that worked without external electricity. A small shelter on the outside served as a lookout point from which the loading process could be monitored.
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