The Salineira

Category: Civil Architecture > Sculpture

District: Aveiro > Aveiro > Aveiro > Beira Mar

Location

In the vibrant Beira Mar area of Aveiro, stands the monument featuring the figure of the Salineira (Salt Woman). It is located in a prominent roundabout, an urban transition point that invites observation of the surrounding environment. Its central position in the town of Aveiro, within the municipality of the same name, makes it a notable presence in the city's landscape, easily visible to passers-by.

Memory of an Essential Activity

The Salineira is part of a monument dedicated to the ancient art of salt production, one of the activities that shaped Aveiro's identity and economy. This work was designed to perpetuate the memory of notable figures linked to the extraction of "white gold," particularly the woman who played a fundamental role. Inaugurated in May 1994, the sculptural ensemble seeks to evoke the essence of a past that, though remote, continues to define part of the region's cultural heritage.

The Salt Woman

The figure of the Salineira is symbolized here, representing the women who, with remarkable effort, transported salt in heavy wicker baskets from the boats to the warehouses. Their task was arduous, reflecting a life tied to the labor of the salt pans. Their attire, colorful and practical, was a distinctive part of their presence: they wore brightly colored skirts, light blouses with lace, an apron, and a fringed shawl crossed over their chest. On their heads, a wide-brimmed hat with a wool scarf protected them from the sun, while their feet, often bare or clad in simple sandals, adapted to the salty environment.

Artistic Conception and Symbolism

The monument, a creation by artist António Quintas, is an imposing structure built from stainless steel and set upon a concrete base that visually recreates the salt pans, with small interconnected pools. Twelve pyramids, reminiscent of traditional salt piles, rise from the base. Among them, vertical elements emerge, evoking the architecture of old salt warehouses and the colorful coastal dwellings. A central waterfall, integrated into the work, flows, resembling the wind-filled sails of a traditional vessel, completing the tribute to Aveiro's landscape and culture. The monument's design was finalized in 1992, after a period of reflection on how best to represent this legacy.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt