Crowdfunding Launched to Continue Restoration of Sardinia's Asproni Mining Village
The former Villaggio Minerario Asproni, situated on the Seddas Moddizzis plateau close to Iglesias, is currently being restored after years of abandonment. This site was established around a calamine mine that functioned for nearly a century and is now overseen by the Fondazione Giorgio Asproni, named in honor of engineer Giorgio Asproni, who ran the mine from 1885 until his passing in 1936. The Sulcis Iglesiente area, recognized for its mining heritage, is transitioning towards cultural tourism. In 2020, Giovanni Lorefice purchased the location and launched Progetto VIL.MIN.AS to transform the village into an open-air museum. Guided tours are offered from June to August and on weekends from September to May. A crowdfunding initiative aims to raise 25,000 euros for ongoing restoration efforts until 31 August 2026.
Key facts
- The ex Villaggio Minerario Asproni is located on the Seddas Moddizzis plateau near Iglesias, Sardinia.
- The village was built around a calamine mine that operated for about a century and employed up to 200 workers.
- The Sulcis Iglesiente region is tied to the extraction of zinc, lead, silver, and coal.
- The Parco Geominerario Storico e Ambientale della Sardegna was recognized by UNESCO in 1998.
- Giorgio Asproni, an engineer specialized in mineralogy, took over the mine's direction in 1885 and lived in the village until his death in 1936.
- In 2020, Giovanni Lorefice acquired the site at a judicial auction and launched Progetto VIL.MIN.AS.
- Between 2021 and 2023, the Direzione Mineraria building was fully recovered and Casa Asproni's roof was restored.
- A crowdfunding campaign on Produzioni dal basso, active until 31 August 2026, aims to raise 25,000 euros (half of the 50,000 needed) for further restoration work.
Entities
Artists
- Giorgio Asproni
- Giovanni Lorefice
- Livia Montagnoli
Institutions
- Fondazione Giorgio Asproni
- Parco Geominerario Storico e Ambientale della Sardegna
- UNESCO
- Produzioni dal basso
Locations
- Sardegna
- Italy
- Sulcis Iglesiente
- Seddas Moddizzis
- Iglesias
- Buggerru
- Laveria Lamarmora
- Porto Flavia
- Saint-Étienne
- France
- England
- United Kingdom
- Belgium