Miniera di Monteponi - Galleria Villamarina, Industrial archaeology museum in Iglesias, Italy.
The Villamarina Gallery is an underground passage connecting two mining shafts at the Monteponi site. It sits at an elevation of 174 meters above sea level and displays the technical infrastructure of this historic mining operation.
Mining at Monteponi started in 1852 and became central to Sardinia's economy through the extraction of lead, zinc, and silver. The site operated continuously until 1968, spanning more than a century of industrial activity.
The gallery's name refers to its role as a connecting passage between two major shafts. Visitors can see the tools and machinery that miners used daily in this underground workspace.
The gallery is located underground with cool, damp conditions that require appropriate clothing. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for uneven terrain and narrow passages.
The rare mineral monteponite was discovered here in 1901, a yellowish-brown cadmium oxide found naturally in only this location worldwide. This geological oddity draws the interest of mineralogy enthusiasts to this site.
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