Xwejni Salt Pans, Salt evaporation pond in Iż-Żebbuġ, Malta.
Xwejni Salt Pans are rectangular pools carved into limestone that descend toward the Mediterranean along Gozo's northern coast. The site consists of multiple interconnected levels integrated into natural rock faces, creating a geometric pattern visible from above.
Salt production at this location dates back to Phoenician times and continued during Roman rule. Local families have operated the pans continuously since the 1800s, preserving one of the islands' oldest working trades.
Local families continue a craft passed down through generations, keeping alive practices that have shaped the character of this coastal area. Visitors watch workers move seawater between pools and observe how the sun transforms it into harvestable crystals.
The best time to visit is between May and September when salt harvesting is active and workers are visible collecting the crop. The site sits along coastal walking routes and is accessible on foot from nearby settlements.
Harvested salt is stored in caves carved deep into coastal rocks, a practice that protects the product and has been refined over centuries. This underground storage method sets this location apart from most other salt production sites.
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