Medinaceli Salt-works

Located strategically in the valley next to the confluence of the River Jalón and the Pradejón rivulet, at the foot of the historic town of Medinaceli, the Salt-works represent for travellers on the Way of El Cid a historical site integrated in scenery that has been preserved thanks to the endeavours of the inhabitants of the town. The salt-works are distributed over more than four kilometres although originally their area would have been much larger as some parts have been lost because of the construction of the motorway and the pools in the modern fish-farm.

The salt comes from the saline deposits with a marine origin (halite) which is interbedded between the gypsum strata in the area. The rainwater that falls on the high moors rapidly percolates into the ground and dissolves the salt, which resurges on the surface through the different springs in the valley. The way of obtaining the salt is very easy and has been carried out in a similar way since Roman times. The briny water is channelled to the salt-works and flows by gravity into the numerous pools where it is left to evaporate until the mineral crystallises. When it is nearly dry, it is piled into heaps so that it can be washed and extracted for its final drying.

• Access by car: you can reach the salt-works by car. Take a signposted turning on the left at the end of the SO-411 road. The salt-works are visible from the turning.
• Access for people with limited mobility: there are no infrastructures for people with limited mobility.
• Legal protection: it forms part of the Site of Community Importance ES4170120 and the Special Protection Area ES0000255 called Layna Moor.
• Seasonality: it can be visited at any time of the year.
• Recommendations, what to see and do: travellers should not miss visiting the monuments in the town of Medinaceli and Arbujuelo valley.

Rev. PAB: 08.05.23