Argentiera, a former mining town with a American western atmosphere and almost no inhabitants. A town where silver and minerals have been mined not that long time ago, a place where they have nice beaches but no sand. But, you will love the sunset.
Welcome to the charming village of Argentiera, nestled along the stunning coastline of Sardinia. With a rich history that dates back centuries, this hidden gem is truly a treasure waiting to be discovered. From its former mines that once fueled the region’s economy to its breathtaking beaches and untouched natural beauty, Argentiera has something for everyone. So grab your sunscreen and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through time and nature in this captivating destination. Let’s dive into all that Argentiera has to offer!
Argentiera, a small town whose name comes from the word argento, meaning silver, is definitely a nice place to visit. The little town is small, but the history can be found everywhere. Houses that fall apart, former mines, and the overall atmosphere is a bit mysterious. The beaches are worth mentioning as well, even though they are not sandy, but fortunately, they have not been fully discovered by tourists, so even at the weekend they are not crowded and you can spend a very pleasant day here.
Argentiera and mining
The mining industry in Argentiera began to flourish during the Roman era, but it reached its peak in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Argentiera mines were renowned for their high-quality silver production, and the village was home to a bustling mining community.
Silver mining ended in the early seventies of the last century, and since then, the town has been quite destitute. Some buildings have been renovated, but most have not. When you go through the town, the most important building to see is a former mining center. It used to employ over 300 people and was modernized in 1911.
At that time, minerals were very important for the city and were imported to Antwerp from the peninsula. The most mined minerals were sphalerite (cubic mineral) and galena (a rare silver mineral). Shafts are unfortunately not accessible today. Another place you can see is a former washery and the hillside road.
The life of people in Argentiera
During the years of exploitation, around 2000 inhabitants lived in Argentiera, but after the end of it, everyone left. That is why the houses started to fall apart as there was no one to take care of it. There was even a recreation center for workers, which you can see right next to a washery.
When mining began, the minerals were cleaned by women and children, and at the end of the 18th century, they built a the washery that worked for them. Here the minerals were sorted, cleaned from dirt and stones and weighed. They were then loaded into ships on the San Nicola Spiaggia (the largest of the beaches), transported to Porto Conte, from where they went to the ports of Northern Europe.
Spiaggia dell’Argentiera
The whole town has an American Western atmosphere, and even though you are surrounded by the countryside, you can see the damage of the mining and the minerals. The beach called ‘Spiaggia dell’Argentiera’ stands out as a hidden gem along the northwestern coast of Sardinia. The surrounding cliffs and rocky outcrops create a picturesque backdrop, providing the perfect vantage point from which you can take in the breathtaking views of all three nearby beaches and the entire city.
At he top one of these cliffs, a charming small church adds to the area’s charm and invites a moment of contemplation. While the beach may not feature fine sand but rather small stones that resemble a delicate scratch, they give the shoreline a unique character, and the beaches remain incredibly inviting. The standard here is transparent blue water that beckons for a refreshing dip. However, a word of caution: watch out for the hedgehogs that sometimes hide amidst the stones, adding a touch of wildlife intrigue to this idyllic coastal haven.
If you’d like to learn more about this ghost city, I recommend this article breaking down more about the history of Argentiera.
Where to go next?
Sardinia has so much to offer. Whether it’s charming cities, colourful buildings, awesome views or beaches, everyone will find something they’ll love! How about to visiting Asinara Islands, a unique natural park, not too far away from a port town Porto Torres?