Salt and mills

Most of the reserve of salines is private property, as it is still used to extract salt with traditional techniques.
The numerous mills have surely an impact on the landscape, which are used for pomping the water in the basins and grinding the salt. The Salines are among the last ones in Sicily, and they consist of tanks of different shapes and depths, where in summer, thanks to a game of levels, channels and tunnels, there is a fast evaporation of water and the crystallization of salt.

Mills and tanks, especially at sunset, offer a beautiful scene as the landscape assumes different colors by reflecting on the salines. The ancient mills are among the ten most beautiful ones in Europe.
Ancient industrial architectures have become an attraction for thousands of tourists.

There are two different types of mills: one is star-shaped, with six wooden paddles, and the other is called "american", with paddles in metal. It is also one of the most humid areas in Sicily, where many species of bird migrates.

Flora and fauna

Salines represent a unique habitat for birds and plants. They are an important place for the migration of many birds both in spring and autumn: 208 species migrate here, such as flamingos, herons and hawks.

The best periods to watch it are between february and may and between september and novembre. During summer it's possible visiting only some areas, in order to bother the birds as less as possible. The area has also many plants, such as halophilus plants.

You can book free guided tours the whole year on wednesday, friday and saturday. You have to contact in advance the number 092386770
email: salineditrapani@wwf.it
website: www.salineditrapani.it.

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