Salinas da Fonte da Bica
Salinas da Fonte da Bica
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On the slopes of the Serra dos Candeeiros, around 3 kms from Rio Maior, the salt pans are located in a large valley next to the Fonte da Bica, in a place known as Marinhas do Sal. The salt pans cover the ground with a white/grey blanket of geometrically shaped flat strips, forming an unusual landscape in the midst of the mountains.
The extraction of salt in this region has a long history, including references in documents written in 1177. The salty water, whose salt level is seven times stronger than normal sea water, is extracted from rock salt mines in the depths of the mountains - the only rock salt mines still in operation in Portugal and the largest in the Iberian peninsular.
The extraction of salt in this region has a long history, including references in documents written in 1177. The salty water, whose salt level is seven times stronger than normal sea water, is extracted from rock salt mines in the depths of the mountains - the only rock salt mines still in operation in Portugal and the largest in the Iberian peninsular.
Contacts
Address:
Fonte da Bica, Marinhas do Sal
2040-133 RIO MAIOR
2040-133 RIO MAIOR
Telephone:
(00351) 243 991 433 | (00351) 918 761 850 | (00351) 961 421 954
Fax:
(00351) 243 991 433
Website: