Grotta di Santa Barbara

Inside the abandoned San Giovanni mine near Iglesias, Grotta di Santa Barbara is reached on a guided tour that combines a mine-train ride, an elevator descent and a walk into the cave. The single large chamber is known for its alabaster columns, ivory-coloured pinnacles, stalactites and stalagmites, with a clear turquoise lake below. Guides explain the formations, and there is time for photographs. Tours can fill up, so book ahead and check whether an English-speaking tour is available.

A cave inside the San Giovanni mine

Grotta di Santa Barbara lies within the abandoned San Giovanni mine near Iglesias. Workers discovered it in 1952 while digging a tunnel inside the mine. Its large chamber contains dark barite crystals, ceroid limestone and other formations that date back around 500 million years.

Alabaster columns and ivory-coloured pinnacles rise among stalactites and stalagmites. A clear turquoise lake sits at the base of the chamber. The formations and the scale of the space give the cave its cathedral-like appearance.

How the guided visit works

The visit takes you into the mine by train, followed by an elevator ride and stairs up to the cave. A guide explains what you are seeing inside the chamber, with time to look around and take photographs. Tours have been conducted in Italian and English; check the language when booking if you need an English-speaking guide.

The uphill walk from the Bindua bus stop to the entrance is about 1 km. The tour involves some walking and stairs, so factor those into your plans. Booking ahead is recommended, particularly if you want a place on an English-language tour.