Salt Pans & Salt Marshes

"Las Salinas" in Cabo De Gata Natural Park

Salt Pans & Marshes

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Here at "Las Salines" the salt mining industry has been carried out for centuries. Its canals and lagoons are home to numerous species of waterbirds

Some historians assume that the Salinas of Cabo de Gata could have belonged to the monopoly of the Kingdom of Castile  and were partially leased to Moors and Arabs . In Spain during the Middle Ages the Crown had a monopoly on salt and its price in the regulated market.

Today, production still continues. In fact it is the only remaining industrial activity in Western Andalusia and apart from its productive value, about 40.000 tons of salt per year, it has an even greater ecological value as it is the habitat of a large variety of fauna and flora.  

Industrial activities do not always have a negative impact on nature. Sometimes it can even be as favorable to biodiversity, that if it disappeared, significant ecological damage would be recorded . In environmental terms is known as "sustainable human impact on natural resources."

The sea salt is a good example of this type of production, where human beings and nature interact in a win-win relationship. This type of salt , highly regarded for its properties and its ability to enhance the flavor of food is being carefully "hand harvested" here at Las Salinas in the Natural Parks of Cabo de Gata- Nijar (Almería)  :

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Flower Salt, "the Queen of all salts" - a Culinary Treasure

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This protected area comprises a range of unique features that benefits the much appreciated Flower Salt.

The environmental conditions needed to obtain it, only occur during summer days, when huge temperature fluctuations in the salt pans do create floating crystals. The cultivation is difficult, because the process of crystallization of the salt flowers occurs on the surface of the water at dawn, during dew nights. Harvesting is carried out only on days without wind to prevent the grain to go straight to the bottom and is done manually with a shovel. 

While the flower salt is now distributed all over Europe and available in many Gourmet stores, you can buy it in some of the small bars around this area as a souvenir!

This sea salt contains significant amounts of calcium and magnesium, considered beneficial for the body. It is also distinguished for its flavor, due to the formation on the surface of the water, and the profusion of a micro algae called "Dunaliella Salina".  This algea is responsible for the pinkish original color of the flower. However, but after a natural drying process it takes on its final white hue .

This is where pink flamingos come into play. The original color of these birds is not pink, but white. It is because of being in contact with the water, and feeding from it, that these birds draw on the same micro-algae, that dye the feathers pink:

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Bird Watching and Pink Flamingos 

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The Salt Pans and Marshes "Las Salinas" is a must stop for Birdwatchers. 

While access to the lakes is fenced for protection, there are several Lookouts for bird watching being two of them the most popular ones. 

Click on image to enlarge!

The observation posts are far away from the birds, in order to not disturb them. (Click on the image map on your right, to enlarge! ) Therefore, although there are several Tourist telescopes, you may want to bring your own binoculars and/or your photo camera equipment with a good zoom. Of course you can go "Pro" with Jesus Contreras, your personal wildlife guide, in which case he will provide you with all necessary professional equipment:

Over 100 different bird species have been accounted in these wetlands, many of them using the salt marshes as a resting place on their migration. 

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The Church - Icon and Movie Protagonist

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The Church of "Las Salinas" is one of the most impressive icons in the area, attracting not only faithful locals, but also tourist, photographers and International filmmakers.

The Church of "Las Salinas" which was opened in 1907 was built for the inhabitants of the nearby salt mine worker settlement, so they could attend religious services. Unlike the houses designed for workers , this temple stands on a platform to keep the water and sand out. It has an air of symbolic superiority over the rest of the buildings. The church is conceived under the prevailing eclectic architecture of the early twentieth century in the province .

On December 25, 2004, the last religious ceremony was celebrated before its closure for restoration and it was re-opened in September 2012. It has become a popular site for local wedding celebrations ever since.

Movie Location:

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You probably have guessed it already, yes! This site is also movie location in numerous films.

In 1969, Franklin J. Schaffner directed the ambitious 20th Century Fox production Patton, using this church as a backdrop to illustrate the advancing troops of Montgomery while coordinating the efforts of his army in Sicily. Schaffener also used other locations in the province such as the Cathedral courtyard, the "Cerro de San Cristóbal" and the Nicolás Salmarón Park in Almeria City, as well as locations in the Desert of Tabernas, Uleila del Campo and Felix. 

The site can also be seen in commercials and musical clips.

Las Salinas Beach

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Getting here:

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View Map of Almeria (Spain) in a larger map

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