Percurso Pedestre - Marinhas do Sal

The Salt Mines are located in the Serras D'Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park, 30 kilometers from the sea. The oldest reference to this natural resource dates back to the 12th century, and the use of rock salt is believed to date back to prehistoric times. Given the ease with which rainwater penetrates limestone, the streams eventually become underground. Thanks to one of these currents, the water becomes salty as it passes through the rock salt deposit. After being drawn from the well, it flows to concentrators and from there back to the distribution basin. Then, it flows to the butchers through seven irrigation channels. In six days, the water evaporates; the salt is scraped with iron shovels and left to dry on the threshing floor for 60 hours. After this period, it is transported to the cooperative for storage and packaging.