Located on the summit of Mount Limbara, the former United States Air Force (USAF) radio base occupies an irregular hexagonal area enclosed by fencing, at an altitude of approximately 1300 meters. Operational from 1966 until 1993, it was decommissioned with the advent of satellite communications and later transferred to the Italian Air Force. The site is currently owned by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia and managed by the Municipality of Tempio Pausania.
The complex includes eight main buildings originally serving various operational and logistical functions: dormitory, canteen, communications center, power station, workshops, paint storage, office building, and a guard post. The structures are built with steel frame systems and insulated sandwich metal panels. Despite the abandonment, the original layout remains clearly identifiable.
According to recent technical assessments, while roofing and wall cladding have suffered significant damage, the load-bearing structures remain stable and structurally sound. The general condition is affected by weather exposure and vandalism, but no major issues have been reported concerning the primary structural elements. Visitors should exercise caution: open trenches, manholes, and tanks are present throughout the site, and metal sheets on rooftops are in advanced states of deterioration and may detach.
The base is accessible via a paved road that climbs through a wooded area. The surrounding landscape is largely uninhabited, featuring granite rock formations and mountain vegetation. The area is exposed to strong winds and harsh weather conditions, contributing to the site's current state of decay.
Fondazione Sardegna Film Commission
Via Malta 63 — 09124 Cagliari
Phone: +39 070 2041961
Email: filmcommission@regione.sardegna.it
