Excursion A journey to discover the white gold: the salt pans tour at Cagliari

Learn the secrets of salt production and the history of the Sardinia salt pans at Santa Gilla pond, where for nearly a century, man and nature have worked in perfect synergy. Travel to an immense naturalistic area and an industrial archeology site within a still productive salt plant. Learn the story of the salt business with period settings and a journey through natural pools, mountains of salt and wildlife.

The longest-lived salt pans in Sardinia extend over the 2,700 hectares of the Santa Gilla pond: still standing and in operation thanks to the forward-looking enterprise of Engineer Conti Vecchi who, at the end of the 1920s, carried out an ambitious project to reclaim the pond by setting up a colossal salt pan. This project thus contributed to the economic and social development of this depressed area on the edge of the city.

Tour the management building and its offices, the workshop, the chemical laboratory, and the former carpentry shop. All of these rooms date back to the 1930s and have been restored and refurnished with machinery, historical objects and archival documents open for viewing. Immerse yourself in the way of life at the salt pans of the early twentieth century.

Climb to the small convoy, learn the secrets of salt production techniques and, at the same time, cross the 2,700 hectares on which the salt pans extend, among salt boxes, evaporating basins, salt hills, glasswort meadows and colonies of waterfowl.

Return to the ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Santa Gilla salt pans, restored 1930s offices, tour of salt pans grounds, wildlife sightings (waterfowl)

Note

Please note: Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. There are about 200 meters of walking that includes some steps and uneven terrain. Guests with limited mobility will need to evaluate their ability to negotiate these.