Valle Salado, Historic salt evaporation ponds in Añana valley, Basque Country, Spain.
Valle Salado de Añana features over 5,000 evaporation platforms called eras, built with wooden frameworks and stone walls where saline water naturally crystallizes through the combined action of sun and wind over several months.
Archaeological evidence shows salt production at this site has continued for over 7,000 years, making it the world's oldest active salt works, with Roman settlements and medieval trade routes developing around this valuable resource.
Recognized as a Cultural Heritage Site, the valley preserves traditional Basque salt-making techniques and represents a living heritage that demonstrates centuries of human adaptation to the natural saline environment of the region.
Guided tours operate year-round through the visitor center, which provides detailed information about production processes, opening hours, and educational activities suitable for families and researchers interested in traditional salt harvesting methods.
Four natural saline springs emerge due to a geological phenomenon called diapir, creating brine with salt concentration exceeding 250 grams per liter, significantly higher than Atlantic Ocean water and enabling continuous salt extraction.
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