Trapani salt ponds, Salt production ponds in western Sicily, Italy
The salt ponds of Trapani are basins along the coast toward Marsala where seawater evaporates through a network of channels. The layout consists of flat, rectangular areas divided into different production stages.
In the 13th century, ruler Frederick II recognized the economic value of these coastal flats and established state control over salt production. This monopoly shaped the region's development for centuries.
The Salt Museum occupies a 17th-century building and displays tools and photographs from salt workers' lives. The collection preserves memory of craft techniques passed down through generations.
The best time to visit is between winter and late summer when salt extraction is active and workers tend the ponds. A guided visit helps understand how the different production stages function.
Two types of windmills operate in the salt ponds: traditional star mills with wooden blades and American models with zinc plate components. This mix of old and modern technology shows how production adapted over time.
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