Art galleries exhibition spaces foundations and cultural centers Sardinia

Symbol of the mining epic of Bruggerru, the Henry Gallery was dug into the rock in 1865. It was used to transport minerals in steam locomotives from the excavation sites to the washing stations. Today, an electric train takes over the route and takes visitors to the bottom of the kilometre-long gallery. The return journey is via the old mule track that runs along the inside of the cliff. Large openings allowing natural light to enter had been dug and create spectacular viewpoints.

Spazzio Ilisso is a center for the exhibition, production and promotion of Sardinian art and culture. The building that houses this unique center in Sardinia is in the Liberty style (Italian Art Nouveau, from the beginning of the 20th century). The museography is superb, in perfect harmony with the architecture. Sardinian artists in all artistic fields are highlighted, as well as music because the beautiful garden hosts concerts. It is also a place of archive, conservation and preservation of the memory of the island in cultural fields.

Chiara Vigo puts into practice the art that has been handed down to her, and promotes unique pieces made from bisso. This bivalve, the largest in the Mediterranean, is the source of the biocculus that transforms into sea silk. Her creations are technical and creative marvels. Every morning, she welcomes you to her workshop and shares a few of her secrets with you. Her know-how has been handed down through the generations, and as proof of this we met Chiara's granddaughter, who has just left school and set to work.

An elegant eighteenth-century building houses the bequest made by the heirs of the collector Francesco Paolo Ingrao. 500 works from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries by famous artists are gathered in palatial rooms: Boccioni, Balla, Depero, Morandi, Severini and De Pisis. The "Collector's rooms" on the ground floor contain other works: paintings, drawings, incisions, bronzes, all arranged in a fascinating disorder. This permanent collection sublimated by modern lighting is very pleasant to visit.