Anana Salt Valley

About

Around 200 million years ago, this area was under the waters of a vast sea. Shifting tectonics led to the development of this ‘salt valley’. While at first the brine was boiled to extract the salt, the Romans introduced the technique of letting the water evaporate in salt pans. These salt pans are still used today, and span almost 22 square kilometers. The terraces are built of stone, wood, and clay, with wooden channels that use gravity to transport the salt water. Though the industry stagnated during the 20th century, the valley is working to preserve not only the landscape, but also the architecture, and the salt industry and its traditions. Today, are welcome to touch the brine, and learn the ancient craft of salt-making firsthand , in the unique ecosystem of this tentative UNESCO site.