SALT PANS

SALT PANS (ALONG VIA DEL SALE)

 

Everyone who visits us will remember the ubiquitous view of salt pans (called also salinas).

Salt pans are plantations that have been adorning the landscape of western Sicily for almost 3000 years.
Those are the oldest and last operating salinas on the island. They occupy the area of 2 thousand hectares of water reservoirs taking on different colors due to the content of magnesium, potassium, iodine and iron.

Here and there among the salt waters, windmills grow up, today remaining a symbol of past eras, and at the same time being an ideal object for photos.

In 1995 the salt pans area sanctuary Di Trapani e Paceco was established. There is a still operating windmill Maria Stella, a little cruise center and the museum of salt – Museo del Sale, located in the village of Nubia (location). If you like museums, it’s worth going there to see drawings, photographs and antique machines for salt production equipment.

Sicily salt pans endorsed by WWF are home to over 170 species of birds. Passing along the ancient Punic road (Trapani-Marsala route – Via del Sale), we pass flocks of pink flamingos, single specimens of osprey’s and falcons while on the opposite side of the road we see endless vineyards.

We recommend stopping and waiting for gorgeous sunset embellished with windmills and contours of Egadi Islands.

 

 

Distance from spot: 16 km (to Museo del Sale)

Journey time: 25 min
Closest salinas: San Teodoro (3 km from the spot)