The story of the salt on the Slovenian coast

Published: 21.2.2011

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The story of the salt on the Slovenian coast

Piran is considered one of the most beautiful seaside towns on the Slovenian coast. There is a traditional Saltern Festival, which takes place annually, this year on 26 and 27 of April. Festive events evoke the departure time to the salt pans and the preparation for the production of salt. Have you heard the story about the precious salt and the Slovenian coast?

The story of the salt on the Slovenian coast

Piran is considered one of the most beautiful seaside towns on the Slovenian coast. There is a traditional Saltern Festival, which takes place annually, this year on 26 and 27 of April. Festive events evoke the departure time to the salt pans and the preparation for the production of salt. Have you heard the story about the precious salt and the Slovenian coast?

"Salt is the sea, which could not go back up into the sky," is the umbrella slogan of the recognised Piranean Salt, which is extracted based on a more than 700-year-old process, unaltered from the time when the salty sea shallows of the Adriatic were a source of prosperity for Piran. The tradition of the natural coexistence of man and nature and the preservation of the saltpan landscape can be felt even today.

Slovenian salt workers know that for good salt more than just clean sea, sun, and air are necessary. Good salt also needs love. The Sečovlje salt pans are also an ethnographic and historical monument of human work, since long centuries were required for their creation and development. Dozens of generations have built, maintained and expanded it with love. Together with the creation of a cultural landscape also the precious Slovenian tradition has evolved. Based on old procedures Fleur de sel (flower of salt) with crystals of pink touch is produced, which is one of the world`s best and is used by prestigious restaurants from Japan to America.

The Salt-making season always starts with the festival in the city! You are welcome to visit the fair, which is a part of the Saltern Festival, dedicated to salt and to the gifts of nature in Tartini Square in Piran on 26 and 27 of April. At various locations in Piran a number of local societies, gastronomic providers and a variety of artists will be presented. The Fair events will be enriched by a cultural program with performances by folklore groups, musical performers and with the presentation of the Saltern family.

Did you know that the Sečovlje salt pans are the northernmost still operating salt pans in the Mediterranean? Many centuries ago the sea excavated deep into the land and created Piran Bay and Strunjan Bay, by which favourable conditions for the pans were created. Sea pans were mentioned in the city`s statutes as early as 1274, and the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park is also the internationally important residence of marsh birds.

And how is salt produced? It takes a lot of water, sun and wind for salt to crystallize in the "Cavedins", and then a thin crust on the surface is made. In order to facilitate the growth of salt the salt workers mix the water wherever the crust occurs. After the daily harvest salt is stored in a repository.

The citizens of Piran are very proud of their saying which says "Piran is the result of salt." This means that the beauty of Piran is the result of wealth which has accumulated due to traditional trading with salt. For its beauty Piran can give thanks to the Sečovlje salt pans, Lucija and Strunjan, famous for its most unique cliff in the Adriatic area. Feel the sea and salt in Slovenia!

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