Grotta di Santa Barbara

About

Santa Barbara’s cave is the most jaw-dropping landmark among Iglesias’ tourist attractions: a unique jewel, built by both the work of man and the action of nature. The story of its discovery is wonderful as well. It happened in 1952: during the excavations for the construction of an ascending gallery, in front of the eyes of the amazed workers who knocked down a rock wall, the fantastic sight of this impressive hollow appeared. This fascinating site is located in San Giovanni’s Mine and can be reached through an intricate network of underground galleries that can be covered with a train that, after a 700m (766 yd) run, leads to a lift that climbs up a well. Entering the cave through the narrow entrance on top of a spiral staircase, you can gaze upon a genuine, shiny, lofty underground cathedral. Rock formations carve fascinating and coloured low-reliefs, making the cave a fairytale place.