In 1924, Venetian engineer Cesare Vecelli solved a problem that had seemed impossible: loading ore mined at Masua straight onto ships, without first ferrying it by small boat to Carloforte. His solution was to carve two overlapping tunnels into the cliff above the sea: an upper one, about 600 metres long, to bring the ore in; a lower one to load it onto ships via a retractable conveyor belt, straight into their holds. Between the two, nine huge silos held up to 10,000 tonnes of ore. The whole thing was built in just two years and named after the engineer's eldest daughter: Flavia.
The port stayed in operation until the 1960s, as mining in the area wound down. Today it's open to visitors and is one of the most photographed industrial sites in Sardinia: from the terrace where ships were once loaded, the view runs straight out to Pan di Zucchero, the famous limestone sea stack off Masua.
How to visit
Access is guided-only, for safety reasons: you walk the upper tunnel (about 600 metres, on an even dirt surface) and descend to the lower gallery via a staircase of 108 steps. The tour takes about 50 minutes. Opening times vary by season — more slots on weekdays in summer, mostly weekends the rest of the year — so it's worth checking the official Parco Geominerario site or Iglesias Turismo and booking ahead, especially in high season.
From Portoscuso
Masua is about 25-30 minutes' drive from Portoscuso, along a coast road that's worth the trip on its own. You can leave after breakfast, visit Porto Flavia in the late morning and be back in time for an afternoon at the beach. If you're driving, our private parking is included.
One more thing: every summer, on the same cliffs at Porto Flavia, an international high diving competition takes place — we cover it in another article.
Practical tips
- Book the guided tour in advance: places are limited for safety reasons.
- Wear comfortable shoes: 600 metres of tunnel plus 108 steps isn't a stroll.
- Bring a light jacket: it's cooler inside the gallery than outside.
Message us on WhatsApp if you'd like help planning the visit: +39 347 915 5119.