Hotels Iglesias, Guesthouses Iglesias and Residences Iglesias

Iglesias, a provincial capital of south-western Sardinia together with the nearby Carbonia, is a small village of ancient origins, as evidenced by the numerous Neolithic tombs it gathers, the so-called Domus de Janas. Coal, zinc, lead and silver mines have made Iglesias and the whole of the surrounding area important centres since the Middle Ages. The city is scattered with precious monuments and sacred buildings, the legacy of invasions by Byzantines, Pisans and Aragonese, which make it a traditional tourist mecca for the lovers of art and culture. Not to be missed are the nearby beguiling, translucent sea, compelling beaches, isolated coves, impressive caves and stacks and the large Marganai Forest, which make Iglesias an appreciated holiday destination for both tourists and researchers.

Iglesias boasts a dazzling array of accommodation options which range from comfortable 3-star guesthouses to luxury 4-star hotels situated in the city centre, a short distance from the major tourist highlights. Not to be missed are intimate bed and breakfasts and budget hotels overlooking the sea and charming guesthouses situated in the hinterland, the latter being the ideal accommodation facilities for both families with children and groups of friends.

The old town cherishes most of the churches which gave the city its name. Among the most ancient ones are the IX-century Church of St. Salvatore, which features a traditional Byzantine cross-shaped plan, and the Church of St. Antonio Abate, which was built in the following century and subsequently restored. The most important church is the Cathedral of St. Chiara. Commissioned by Count Ugolino della Gherardesca from Pisa in the XIII century, it still retains a Romanesque-Gothic facade and part of the original bell tower. The building of the Church of Nostra Signora delle Grazie dates back to the same period, even if it was subsequently restored during the following centuries, and so do the building of the Church of St. Maria di Valverde situated outside Porta Castello, which was the main access to the ancient city of Villa di Chiesa, the name Iglesias was known as up to the Pisan domination. Not to be missed is the structure of the Church of St. Francesco, which was realized around 1330. Note its facade of red trachyte and its gable roof.
Other popular tourist meccas situated just in the heart of the old town are the Ethnographic Museum dedicated to agriculture, sheep-breeding and crafts, the Minerary Museum, which contains a rich collection of minerals, rocks and nuraghic remains, and the Museum of Minerary Art, which gathers pictures, tools and scale models dealing with the main business activity of the city.
Those interested in discovering the minerary activities of the city can take part in targeted excursions to the mines of the surrounding area, such as the nearby Mine of Monteponi and the fascinating setting of the Cave of St. Barbara, situated just in the heart of the impressive Mine of San Giovanni. The same itinerary leads to the area of Fontanamare, which boasts sweeping views over an enchanting stretch of coastline which is dotted with intimate inlets and coves and impressive sheer cliffs. Once past the small cove of Masua, visitors will have the possibility to admire the so-called Pan di Zucchero cliff, an impressive calcareous rock crossed by two mysterious caves.  Apart from Masua's beautiful beach, not to be missed is Caladomestica, a wide expanse of golden sand which can be reached through a natural gallery. The lovers of nature looking for unspoilt environmental settings can explore the rough footpaths of the Marganai Forest, which give them the possibility to cross wonderful natural landscapes populated by rare species of animals and plants.