Carbonia

The wonderful "City of Coal"

This enchanting city, located in the heart of the island, is a gem of history, culture, and natural beauty. Carbonia, also known as the “City of Coal”, owes its birth to a significant chapter in Italian history. In the 1930s, during the fascist regime, it was founded for industrial purposes. Its main mission was the extraction of coal, a vital
activity for Italy at that time.

Today, Carbonia is an open-air museum of this historical era. Visitors can admire the ancient industrial structures, the miners’ houses, and learn more about the harsh life of those who worked in the mines. Not to be missed is the Coal Museum: a touching experience that will transport you back in time.

Coal Mining Museum - Carbonia Southwest Sardinia
porto pino - Carbonia Southwest Sardinia village

In Carbonia, you can also discover the remains of the Phoenician-Punic and Nuragic civilizations: with the archaeological park of Monte Sirai featuring necropolises, temples, the fortress of Nuraghe Sirai, and the Archaeological Museum Villa Sulcis, exploring the time from the Neolithic to the Byzantine period.

For sea lovers, the beaches of Porto Pino and Sant’Antioco are a short distance away, offering crystal-clear waters and golden sand. Absolutely not to be missed, usually in October, is the Carbonia Film Festival, dedicated to great cinema.