Galleria Ornella

The Ornella Gallery is located in the territory of Iglesias, in the mining area of Masua, in Sulcis-Iglesiente, and is one of the most important historical infrastructure related to the industrial mining archaeology of Sardinia. It is a large carreggio gallery created for the connection between the main deposits of the extractive district iglesiente.
The work, about 12 km long, had the strategic function of connecting mining sites such as the Marx and Scalittas deposit with treatment plants located in Masua. This system allowed the efficient transport of minerals along the underground network of the mining basin.
The tunnel was part of a larger complex that connected several mines of the territory, including Masua, Montecani and Pubuxeddu, allowing access to deep production levels up to about 90 meters below sea level. The transport took place through special internal railway convoys.