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Carbonia is an emblematic example of a foundation town, conceived in the vicinity of the great Serbariu Mine, one of the most advanced mining facilities in Europe at the time of its construction. This city stands out as one of the most significant and ambitious settlements created by the Kingdom of Italy, completed in less than a year and opened on December 18, 1938. The initial plan, drawn up by Ignazio Guidi and Cesare Valle with input from Gustavo Pulitzer Finali, envisioned a population of 20,000, later increased to 35,000 through an expansion plan drafted by Eugenio Montuori.

The heart of Carbonia is its central square, Piazza Roma, around which there is a system of public spaces. In this area, similar to the model of ancient medieval cities, are the main institutional buildings: the City Hall, designed by Enrico Del Debbio; the Torre Littoria and the Dopolavoro, both works by Gustavo Pulitzer-Finali; the Regie Poste building, designed by Raffaello Fagnoni; and the Church of San Ponziano, designed by Cesare Valle and Ignazio Guidi.

Also of interest are the Clerks’ Hotel and the Elementary School, now converted into the Classical High School. Not far from the center, surrounded by greenery, is the villa of the Mine Director, designed by Eugenio Montuori, which now houses the “Villa Sulcis” Archaeological Museum. But there are indeed many monuments to be discovered, starting with those shelters that today have become places to discover and relive.

Carbonia, thanks to its history, urban layout and architecture, is a splendid example of an open-air museum of widespread contemporary art, among the most interesting nationwide. A city that can boast of numerous historical and architectural heritage restoration projects that have also attracted the attention of Europe. A city to discover, to learn about, to experience. A city to visit for its beauty, enhanced by light capable of highlighting the shapes and lines of unforgettable buildings.

Carbonia. City of Foundation, City of Landscape, City of Beauty. Above all, Carbonia is a city to be discovered.

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