|
IN THE
SURROUNDINGS
Villa di Chiesa - Iglesias
‘Iglesias is a tourist town par excellence, if one
considers its climate, history and nature’. Francesco
Alziator, ‘Iglesias città d'arte’
Iglesias is
located on the south-western coast of Sardinia. Nature
and the Geo-Mining Park make it unique; yet, what
captures travellers'attention is the historical and
architectural
heritage (above all, churches) left by Tuscan Middle
Ages and Spanish domination. A lot of churches were
raised during MiddleAges (hence the name of Villa di
Chiesa). Wardens of a magnificent past, they
stillcharacterize today's town plan.
|
|
Iglesias lies at 176 m a.s.l.. Among its fractions,
Nebida offers an amazing landscape: the beach of Masua,
the stack of Pan di Zucchero and cliff faces falling
sheer to the sea are the background to Porto Flavia and
Nebida mining sites.
The fractions of San Benedetto and San Giovanni Miniera,
Bindua, Monte Agruxiau preserve intact jewels of
industrial archaeology; the settlements of Corongiu-Tanì
date back to the Neolithic.
The town plan reflects its historical and economic past.
The old town stretches inside the Pisan boundary walls,
still visible, with a few towers, the Salvaterra Castle
and the Cathedral of Santa Chiara (1285-1288).
|
The modern
centre gathers around the main square dedicated to
Q.Sella, a great promoter of the island mining industry.
The economy has been indissolubly bound tomines,
thriving throughout the Pisan and Aragonese dominations
and accompanying the whole history of the town until
recently, when a sour crisis eventually led to their
closing. Reclamation
plans have been implemented to enhance such a worthy
industrial, urban, monumental and natural heritage. |
Medieval
rites and traditions
The evocative Spanish rites date back to the 17thC.
Tue.: Procession of Mysteries; Thu.: Our Lady of Sorrows
searching for Jesus. Fri. morning: the Procession of
Mount represents the agony of the ascent to the Calvary;
at night, the nthralling
Procession of Descent solemnly reinterprets Christ's
funeral in Baroque style, flanked with silent crowds.
Holy Thu./Fri.: is baballottis, all in white and hooded,
create a unique atmosphere. 'S'Incontru' (Sun.) and
'S'Inserru' foll.Tue.) close processions cycle. |
|
