Roteiro das Minas e Pontos de Interesse Mineiro e Geológico de Portugal

Ecomuseum salinas de Rio Maior, Rio Maior

The salt-pans can be found 3 km away from Rio Maior, in a valley at the bottom of Candeeiros Mountain. Surrounded by trees, vineyards and other cultivated lands, they are considered a natural wonder, once the sea is about 30 km away. The ensemble presents itself like a tiny village of cobblestone streets and wooden houses next to wich stand out some curious tanks of irregular sizes and shapes.. In spring these tanks are full with salt water giving origin to white pyramids of salt. History The oldest document referring to the Salinas dates back to 1177, but it is believed that salt was already explored in Pre-historic times. Candeeiros is a limestone mountain region with many fissures in the rock, which enables the rain water to penetrate forming undercurrents. One of these undercurrents passes across a very extensive and deep rock-salt deposit and feeds the well in the centre of the pans. This water is seven times saltier then the sea water. The rock-salt deposit which occupies the region of the Portuguese Estremadura, between Leiria and Torres Vedras (about 100 km long),was formed millions of years ago after the retreat of the sea that once occupied the region.

Vista geral

Carlos Pereira

Salinas

Carlos Pereira

Pirâmides de sal

Recolha de sal 2

Salinas 2

Carlos Pereira

Recriação Histórica

CHARACTERISTICS

LOCATION

Address: Rua Principal Marinhas do Sal 2040-133 Rio Maior
City: Rio Maior
Postal Code: 2040 - 133
Telephone: 243991121
Email: turismo@cm-riomaior.pt
Website: https://www.turismoriomaior.pt

FUNCTIONING

Weekly Schedule:
tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday
From 13:00:00 to -.
From 17:00:00 to -.

Weekend and Holidays Schedule:

From 10:00:00 to 13:00:00.
From 14:00:00 to 17:00:00.

Exceptions:
This is the schedule of the tourism office, but the Ecomuseum can be visited any time, because there are interpretative panels which allow an independent visit.

Paid Entry:
0€

Discount Policy:
-

ORGANISATION OF THE VISIT

The visit to this Point requires prior booking and can be done individually.

Specific Conditions:
In case of smaller groups, the visitors can get information at the local tourism office and do the external circuit of the ecomuseum with the support of interpretative panels.

Method:
-

Difficulty Level:
Low

Group Visits:
Yes
Minimum Number of Person per group:
1
Maximum Number of Person per group:
500
Observations:
For guided visits previous appointment is recommended.

Guided Tours:
Yes
Observations:
For guided visits previous appointment is recommended.

EXISTING EQUIPMENT

Geological curiosity

GEOLOGICAL / MINING INTEREST

History Patrimony:
-

Activity Program:
-

Study and Research Unit:
-

Audiovisual and Multimedia Resources:
-

Volunteering Programs:
-

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

Activity Description:
Salinas Treasure – A treasure hunting lasting approximately 45 minutes, for children between 6 and 12 years old. It’s a dynamic, fun activity which gives children another perspective of the saltpans.

Target Audience:
Children between 6 and 12 years old.

Activity Cost:
0€

Weekly Schedule:

From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.

Weekend and Holidays Schedule:

From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.

Exceptions:
-

Observations:
This activity needs previous appointement.

EXTERNAL SUPPORT

Where to Eat
http://turismoriomaior.blogspot.com

TRANSPORT

Type of Transport:
T. Rodoviário
Agency Name:
Rodoviária do Tejo
Telephone Number:
243996003

Parking for private vehicles:
Yes

SITES OF TOURISTIC INTEREST

Casa Senhorial d'El Rei D. Miguel

This house was always known as Manor House of D. Miguel, because during the period of the Liberal Revolution, in the 19th century, traditionally it was said that D. Miguel stayed here for a few days. It is possible to visit temporary exhibitions (painting, sculpture, photography, etc.), a long term exhibition of the artifacts found in the roman Villa of Rio Maior, as well as other pieces collected throughout Rio Maior which illustrate a little of its history, and a small space reserved to the Salinas.
gps: 39.33474 -8.93813
distance: 3km

Villa Romana de Rio Maior

AThe Roman Villa of Rio Maior dates back to the 3rd/4th century. It is possible to visit just a part of the Pars Urbana of the Villa. The collection from the archeological works is mostly composed by artifacts which reveal the luxury and richness of the Villa. Visits can be booked at the tourism office by the Salinas or at Casa Senhorial d’El Rei D. Miguel.
gps: 39.33295 -8.93921
distance: 3km

ASSOCIATED ROUTES

SUGGESTIONS OF THE ROUTE- OTHER NEARBY PLACES TO VISIT

Interactive Exhibit

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Olhos de Água do Alviela Walking Trail

The complex also presents a walking trail of approximately 2km that takes visitors past many different and typical karsic geological phenomena of rare beauty. One of these attractions is the Amiais stream. This unique stream flows at the su ...

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The Minde Pincha

The Minde "Pincha" is a curious upwelling phenomena that is thought to have appeared due to the layering of sediment deposits on the edges of a lake that is believed to have existed in this area in the Glaciation Period – Quaternary. This G ...

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The Olhos de Água of Alviela River Spring

The Alviela River Spring is located on the base of a cliff between the national limestone plate region and the lower Tagus tertiary basin. Here, a range of 150 million year old rocks are found together (Jurassic limestone and Tertiary sands ...

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The Santo António Plateau

The Santo António Plateau is located in the heart of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park, east of the Candeeiros Mountain and south of the Aire Mountain and the São Mamede Plateau. The Santo Antonio Plateau harbors an uncommon kars ...

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