expedia
Porto Flavia
Cagliari: Porto Flavia from Chia
Cagliari: Porto Flavia from Chia
Cagliari: Porto Flavia from Chia
Cagliari: Porto Flavia from Chia

Cagliari: Porto Flavia from Chia

By Bitan Daily Tours
8 out of 10
Free cancellation available
Price is S$716 per traveller* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple travellers
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 5h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
  • Multiple languages
Overview

The Masua hub was a complex of several mining operations in the Sulcis area, a region of Sardinia rich in coal, sulphur, barium, zinc, lead, silver and other metals. Extraction began in 1600, but became economically relevant only in the early 1900s when the mining business in the whole region experienced a quick expansion. The extraction, especially of the coal caves, was operated on a low-technology basis until the early 20th century. Since the late 1800s metal-gathering enjoyed more modern techniques, as it was controlled mostly by rich north-European corporations more willing to commit money in improving the mining efficiency. In 1922, the Masua mines were acquired by the Belgian Vieille Montagne Company, and exploitation increased with the growing need for zinc and lead for reconstruction after World War I as well as because of technological advance in steel alloys.

Activity location

  • Bitan - Daily Tours
    • Via Vittorio Emanuele III 11
    • 09010, Domus de Maria, Italy, Italy

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Bitan Quad Tour
    • 13 Viale del Porto
    • 09010, Chia, Sardegna, Italy

Check availability


Private Tour
  • Activity duration is 5 hours5h5h
  • English

Tour: Porto Flavia is a sea harbour located in Masua. Built in 192324, it served as the mineral production hub of Masua in the west coast of the Sardinian Sulcis area.
Pickup included

Price details
S$715.90 x 1 TravellerS$715.90

Total
Price is S$715.90
Until Sat, 28 Sept

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedBottled water
  • What's includedWhat's includedAll taxes, fees and handling charges
  • What's includedWhat's includedTransport by air-conditioned minivan with free wifi on board, due to availability, please be aware that for groups of more than 8 participants vehicles used in the excursions may be different from description and vary at the management's discretion.
  • What's includedWhat's includedUse of helmet
  • What's includedWhat's includedHotel pickup and drop-off only for Chia area
  • What's includedWhat's includedInsurance
  • What's includedWhat's includedProfessional guide in english, french, portuguese and italian
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedFood and drinks, unless specified
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedService charge

Know before you book

  • Specialised infant seats are available
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Dress code is smart casual
  • Due to availability, please be aware that for groups of more than 8 participants vehicles used in the excursions may be different from description and vary at the management's discretion.

Activity itinerary

Bitan - Daily Tours
  • 1h
Starting from Chia you will enjoy an amazing ride (1.5 hour) through the panoramic road towards Iglesias.
Porto Flavia
  • 2h
  • Admission ticket included
We'll see how a special crew of miners expert in explosives and rock climbing was assembled. They worked in shifts, day and night, to complete the excavations in record time. Despite safety measures being practically ignored to speed up work, no casualties were reported in the building phase. Because the tunnel was without angles or trenches, the usual technique for dynamite-drilling was impossible (the crew used those angles and trenches as shelter while blowing up charges just a few metres away). Instead, small cavities were excavated at regular distances to allow the workers to gain cover after igniting explosives. They are still visible in the guided tour. The workers began drilling the upper gallery, 37 metres (121 ft) above sea-level, with dynamite and mechanical drills (many mines at the time mostly used pickaxes) until they reached the sea. They then hung from ropes and began drilling the lower tunnel from the cliff-face, 16 metres (52 ft) above sea-level, going the opposite direction under the upper gallery. This way, they could dump the removed rocks directly into the sea. Finally, the reservoirs were excavated by creating holes in the basaltic rock, starting from the bottom of the cavities and going up. This again eased the removal of rubble, although this procedure was very dangerous. Each storage reservoir was 4 to 8 metres (13 to 26 ft) in diameter and 20 metres (66 ft) high. Venting holes were opened on the side of the galleries. Mechanical iron hatches were installed, along with the electric railway into the upper tunnel. The train brought the ore to the loading hatches of the reservoirs, while in the lower tunnel the unloading hatches fed the ore to the conveyor belt leading to the ships. The belt was covered with a steel casing to prevent the wind blowing away zinc oxide powder. It was extensible, and retracted after a load was delivered to the ship's hold. The main conveyor belt featured an innovative movable alignment system, designed to reduce the risk of the belt escaping the driving wheels under the pressure of the falling ore. The main belt dumped the ore on the slightly lower extensible conveyor belt, which could be protruded for 15 metres (49 ft) and channelled the ore powder into a vertical shaft going to the hold of a moored ship. Construction took only two years, ending in 1924, a remarkably short period of time for a work of that size. The ends of the tunnels facing the sea were adorned with concrete towers and decorative nameplates. They were not necessary to the operation, but were asked to be constructed by the owner of the company as a mark of prestige. Vecelli's daughter, Flavia, was born earlier in 1924 and the engineer named his best job with his daughter's name.
Chia
  • 1h
Your local guide will be keen to make the tour as personal as possible. He will assist you with his expertise and recall interesting anecdotes for you before driving you back to your hotel.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIESBitan - Daily Tours
    • Via Vittorio Emanuele III 11
    • 09010, Domus de Maria, Italy, Italy

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLEBitan Quad Tour
    • 13 Viale del Porto
    • 09010, Chia, Sardegna, Italy

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Domus de Maria your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Domus de Maria

With so many things to do in Domus de Maria, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Domus de Maria. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Domus de Maria to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.