Private tour

Cagliari: Porto Flavia Tour

Activity provider: Bitan Daily Tours
Private tour

Cagliari: Porto Flavia Tour

Activity provider: Bitan Daily Tours

From US$ 483.86 per person

The Masua hub was a complex of several mining operations in the Sulcis area, a region of Sardinia rich in coal, sulphur, barium, zinc, lead, silver and other metals. Extraction began in 1600, but became economically relevant only in the early 1900s.

About this activity

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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 4 - 8 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
Spanish, English, French, Italian, Portuguese
Pickup included
Only for Chia area.
Private group

Experience

Highlights
  • See the amazing landscape and learn about the complex of several mining operations in the Sulcis area
  • Know the Sardinian Sugarloaf
  • Feel the experience of the Sardinian miners
Full description
See how a special crew of miners expert in explosives and rock climbing was assembled. They worked in shifts, day and night, to complete the excavations in record time. Despite safety measures being practically ignored to speed up work, no casualties were reported in the building phase. Because the tunnel was without angles or trenches, the usual technique for dynamite drilling was impossible (the crew used those angles and trenches as shelter while blowing up charges just a few meters away). Instead, small cavities were excavated at regular distances to allow the workers to gain cover after igniting explosives. They are still visible in the guided tour.  The workers began drilling the upper gallery, 37 metres (121 feet) above sea level with dynamite and mechanical drills (many mines at the time mostly used pickaxes) until they reached the sea. They then hung from ropes and began drilling the lower tunnel from the cliff face, 16 metres (52 feet) above sea level, going the opposite direction under the upper gallery. This way, they could dump the removed rocks directly into the sea. Finally, the reservoirs were excavated by creating holes in the basaltic rock starting from the bottom of the cavities and going up. This again eased the removal of rubble, although this procedure was dangerous. Each storage reservoir was 4 to 8 metres (13 to 26 feet) in diameter and 20 metres (66 feet) high. Venting holes were opened on the side of the galleries. Mechanical iron hatches were installed along with the electric railway into the upper tunnel. The train brought the ore to the loading hatches of the reservoirs, while in the lower tunnel the unloading hatches fed the ore to the conveyor belt leading to the ships. The belt was covered with a steel casing to prevent the wind blowing away zinc oxide powder. It was extensible, and retracted after a load was delivered to the ship's hold. The main conveyor belt featured an innovative movable alignment system, designed to reduce the risk of the belt escaping the driving wheels under the pressure of the falling ore. The main belt dumped the ore on the slightly lower extensible conveyor belt, which could be protruded for 15 metres (49 feet) and channeled the ore powder into a vertical shaft going to the hold of a moored ship. Construction took only two years, ending in 1924, a remarkably short period of time for a work of that size. The ends of the tunnels facing the sea were adorned with concrete towers and decorative nameplates. They were not necessary to the operation, but were asked to be constructed by the owner of the company as a mark of prestige. Vecelli's daughter, Flavia, was born earlier in 1924 and the engineer obtained from the company to name the harbor after her.
Includes
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Entrance fees
  • Bottled water
  • Local guide (Italian, English, French and Portuguese)
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off only for Chia area
  • Use of helmet
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  • Insurance
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Arabian, Chinese, German, Russian, Dutch and Spanish guide
  • Tips (optional)

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Participants

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Important information

Not allowed

  • Pets

Know before you go

  • Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
  • Infant seats are available on request if advised at time of booking
  • Dress code is smart casual
  • Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
  • Due to availability, please be aware that for groups of more than 8 participants, the vehicles used on the tour may be different from those in the description
  • Due to availability, please be aware that vehicles used in the excursions may be different from description and vary at the management's discretion.

Product ID: 83484