Salinas da Junqueira

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Leiria > Leiria > Sismaria

Location

The Junqueira Salt Pans are located in the village of Sismaria, in the municipality of Leiria, integrated into the Union of Parishes of Monte Redondo and Carreira. They stand out as one of the rare examples of inland salt pans in the region, situated about eight kilometers from the coast, in an area with particular geological characteristics. Their existence is due to the ascent of saltwater from a diapir of rock salt and gypsum present in the subsoil, which gives their waters the necessary salinity.

This place offers a unique landscape, marked by the constant presence of water on the surface, due to the high water table and peaty soil, even during the warmest months of the year. The surroundings are serene and away from urban bustle, inviting observation and contact with local nature.

The Legacy of Salt Production

The history of the Junqueira Salt Pans dates back to the early 20th century, around 1920, when José Duarte Rolo Júnior discovered a saltwater spring on the land. This discovery, and the high salt content detected, justified the creation of a salt extraction industry that operated between 1922 and the mid-1980s.

For over fifty years, this site was a salt production point, marketed under the brand "Sal Império" (Empire Salt), which supplied various parts of the country. The interruption of activity was due to the gradual decrease in water salinity and changes in the region's economic landscape, but the cultural impact and the memory of its laborious history endure in the local community.

A Biodiversity Sanctuary

With an approximate area of five hectares, the Junqueira Salt Pans are now a space of remarkable natural value. The old evaporation lagoons, remnants of the salt extraction activity, have transformed into rich habitats for various species. The particularity of the shifting and peaty soil ensures that the water never completely dries up, even in summer.

This constant humidity favors the lush growth of palustrine vegetation, such as rushes (which gave the place its name), reeds, alders, and willows. It is a privileged spot for bird watching, where birds find food and shelter, and it is also home to various amphibians and reptiles, with traces of otter presence still observable.

Discovery and Conservation

The Junqueira Salt Pans are currently undergoing a rehabilitation project, aiming to preserve their historical, natural, and cultural heritage, while also focusing on enhancing their value for visitors. The intervention includes the creation of an interpretive trail in the outer area, inviting exploration of this unique ecosystem.

Among the renewed or planned structures are wooden walkways that facilitate circulation, a demonstrative salt pan to illustrate the salt extraction process, and a bird observatory, ideal for ornithology enthusiasts. An Environmental, Historical, and Cultural Interpretation Center, located in the main building, will serve to reveal the importance of salt extraction at this point in the country.

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