Travel Guide Carbonia

Carbonia is located in the center of the Sulcis region, known for its mining wealth. The development of the region began in the 19th century and continued from the 1920s until the post-war period. Carbonia is a new city, which takes its name from the coal mines that made its wealth. Founded in 1937 by Mussolini, it is a significant example of a planned mining center. At its peak, the city was home to 60,000 inhabitants. Now it has only half that number. Carbonia's mines closed one after the other in the 1960s and the last one closed in 2018. The poor quality ore was too polluting and too expensive. It has been upgraded by the creation of the Geomineral Park recognized by Unesco. From an architectural point of view, it is quite characteristic of fascist cities. However, to the north of the city, the Phoenician remains of Monte Sarai provide an essential testimony to life in the sixth century BC. Extensively excavated and studied, the site includes the remains of a vast city, with its houses, temple, necropolis and tophet.At 68 km west of Cagliari, it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes by car to reach the two cities. Carbonia and Cagliari are connected by train and direct bus (line 802).