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The Ingurtosu mining village, located in the municipality of Arbus, represents one of the most significant examples of industrial archaeology in Sardinia. Founded in 1855 at the same time as the start of the exploitation operations of the Gennamari and Ingurtosu mines, the village, located in the is Animas valley, quickly became a central hub for the extraction of lead, zinc and silver.

Its history is intertwined with that of European mining companies, in particular the French Pertusola, which managed the mining activities, contributing to the economic development of the entire region.

The settlement developed as a self-sufficient complex, designed to meet the needs of a community that, in its heyday, numbered thousands of inhabitants. The structure of the village reflected a well-defined social hierarchy. At the top was the Palazzo della Direzione, built between 1870 and 1878 in neo-Gothic style, which served as the administrative headquarters of the mines. This imposing and austere building symbolized the economic power of the mining company and was intended for the offices of the managers and representative meetings.

The workers' homes, more modest and located along the main access roads to the processing plants, were made of local stone and reflected the essential living conditions of those who worked in the mine. On the contrary, the residences of the managers and technicians were more spacious and equipped with more comforts, such as private gardens and internal toilets, highlighting the social division between the different categories of workers.

Another fundamental structure of the village was the Ingurtosu Hospital, built in 1901 and subsequently expanded in 1907. The hospital played a crucial role in providing medical care to the miners, who were frequently subject to accidents and occupational diseases such as silicosis, due to the inhalation of fine dust. The lack of public health facilities in the area made the hospital an indispensable element for the mining community.

The village also had other essential services: a church, dedicated to Santa Barbara, patron saint of miners, schools, shops and a series of buildings for administrative and logistical functions. The church, built in 1912, served not only a religious function but also a social one, constituting a meeting point for the inhabitants.

At the centre of the village was the first mine shaft, the Ingurtosu shaft, which served the vein of the same name, which for technical and safety reasons was later covered over and of which today no trace remains on the surface.

Over time, the village saw a progressive decline, parallel to the decrease in mining activities which culminated in the 1970s with the definitive closure of the mines. The resulting depopulation led to the degradation of the structures, transforming Ingurtosu into an abandoned place, but full of history and meaning.

Today, the Ingurtosu mining village is an object of cultural and tourist interest. Its ruins, although partly compromised, offer a fascinating overview of Sardinia's mining past. The recovery and enhancement operations aim to integrate the conservation of industrial architecture with the surrounding natural landscape, characterized by a rugged and uncontaminated beauty.

Guided tours of the village allow you to explore the main structures, including the Management Building, the workers' houses and the hospital, offering an immersive journey into the industrial history of the island.