The numerous mining villages spread all around the territory are surely very interesting and deserve a visit. Among the most important and containing proof of the past mining activity are Seddas, Moddizzis, Acquaresi, Malacalzetta, Tiny and Arenas.
S. Barbara's well also deserves a visit, characterised by massive walls giving it a medieval castle-like look.
The churches.
Nostra Signora di Valverde (Our Lady of the Green Valley) is also known as the Capuchins' church. It was built in compliance with the Franciscans' will in the last decades of the XIII Century. The façade is divided by a moulding, the portal is quite simple and covered by an arch. The interior, aisle-less with chapels on the right side, has been restored in XVI and following centuries.
The Chiesa del Collegio or della Purissima was founded by the Jesuits present in the area since 1578. Its façade is simple and it has a portal made of red trachyte. The building is aisle-less, quite big, and has three chapels on each side, with baroque-inspired altars. The slightly elevated presbyteral area has a magnificent altar made of polychrome marble, with columns and a rich fastigium.
The St. Saviour church is Iglesias' oldest building and represents a real Medieval masterpiece. It's shaped as a Latin cross and has low, barrel vaults.
St. Clare's church was built between 1284 and 1288 according to Lord Ugolino of Donoratico's wishes. The lower part of the façade is in Romanesque style and in the upper area, close to the central rosette, there are two precious arcades. On the right side there is a bell-tower that has been restored at different times. It holds a bell melted by Andrea Pisano in 1337. The interiors, restored between 1503 and 1588, are aisle-less and have lateral chapels. The large presbyteral area is square with a large transept. The church became a cathedral in 1502, when the diocese was transferred to Tratalias by Pope Julius II.
Among religious traditions, the most suggestive is the Holy Week, characterised by a performance repeated since the XVII Century. Easter Sunday, a parade called "S'Incontru" takes place, and on the following Tuesday the "S'Onterru" procession closes the celebrations.
Different cultural events are also organised throughout the year, mostly in October. Just a few examples are the art exhibitions (including paintings, sculptures, photography and minerals), Iglesias' Journalism and Literature award (October) and the Sardinian handcrafts exhibition (first ten days of July).
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