Underground wonders: itinerary through the Iglesiente caves

The itinerary starts from Santadi, in the heart of the lower Sulcis, a village known for its fine Carignano wine and rich archaeological heritage. The first stop is the karst system of Mount Meana, location of the entrance to the Is Zuddas Caves. Still very much alive and evolving, these caves are a truly unique wonder of the world. Approximately 500 metres long, the tourist route winds through a magical atmosphere, featuring spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and delicate canulas. Their universal fame is linked to the Eccentrics chamber, which boasts the highest concentration of eccentric aragonite in Italy. Defying gravity, these "rock flowers" grow in every direction. Another remarkable chamber is the Organ Room, which hosts a charming nativity scene at Christmas. We then continue north, in the heart of the Iglesias mining district. 

After about fifty kilometres, we reach the district of Iglesias. Hidden in the heart of the San Giovanni mine, this cave is a wonder that a miner discovered by chance in 1952. Formed about 500 million years ago, it is considered to be Italy's most ancient cave. Just reaching the cave itself is a unique experience: with no openings to the outside world, visitors reach it by riding an electric train through the mining tunnels, followed by a lift that descends a deep shaft. The effect is spectacular: a single, majestic hall, 25 metres high, dotted with columns, stalactites, honeycomb formations and a small, still lake. The sensation is that of an underground cathedral, a rare gem unspoiled by time. The next stop is a short distance away, in Domusnovas. 

A short stretch of less than 20 km leads to Domusnovas at the edge of the Marganai forest. Here we find the San Giovanni Cave, a natural monument with an almost unique feature (there are only two other examples): it is one of the few caves with a road running through it. The tunnel is 850 metres long and was formed by the erosion of the San Giovanni river. The paved road was built in the 19th century to transport minerals from the nearby Sa Duchessamine. Today, the cave is closed to traffic and can only be visited on foot so that visitors can wander at their leisure, admiring the walls covered with concretions and limestone pools. The name derives from an ancient chapel dedicated to the saint, which has now disappeared. The last stage takes us to the district of Fluminimaggiore. 

The itinerary ends after 35 km in the territory of Fluminimaggiore, not far from the famous Temple of Antas. The Su Mannau Caves are an impressive karst complex that originated 540 million years ago and are still "living". The cave extends for eight kilometres. The tour is in two parts: the archaeological chamber was used as an underground temple already in the Pre-Nuragic period; it was dedicated to the cult of the water deity, and an ancient path connected it with another temple on the surface. Equipped with walkways and stairs, the 500-metre-long tourist cave route takes the visitor through majestic chambers with ponds, waterfalls, pillars, and unique crystal structures, such as tree-like aragonite formations. The most beautiful rooms include the White Room and the Virgin Room, with coralloid and eccentric aragonites. It is a magical conclusion to this journey into the Sardinian underground.