White gold of Sicily - Trapani

Trapani is nestled between two seas on Sicily island. There are many ancient cathedrals, narrow streets, a picturesque embankment, but the main attraction is the healing air, which is literally saturated with salt.

Those who are used to traveling on their own and sightseeing without a guide or excursion groups can rent a car in Italy at a rental office and not depend on anyone. Renting a car in Sicily will cost an average of 16 euros per day, in Sardinia from 14 euros per day.

This is due to one local peculiarity: almost a thousand hectares are occupied by a nature reserve called Saline di Trapani e Paceco. These are reservoirs with stagnant colored water, the depth of which is from 50 cm to 2 m. The lakes were formed as a result of underwater currents. Water entered the lagoons very slowly, which is why it stagnated, and its temperature rose steadily. This place has become ideal for the extraction of salt.

The first attempts date back to the 12th century, and by 1572 Trapani was considered the largest exporter of "white gold" to Europe. With the help of windmills, seawater was supplied to the reservoirs, which gradually passed through several reservoirs of different depths, and in the latter dried up in the sun. As a result, salt remained on the surface.

One of the attractions of Saline di Trapani e Paceco is flocks of birds, because for the birds this place has become a temporary refuge on the way to Africa. It is home to flamingos, herons, ducks and more than 200. The Salt Mine is one of the most unusual and beautiful places in Sicily. Landscapes can be safely called futuristic. The variety of minerals makes the sea surface colorful, and the tops of the salt mountains shine dazzlingly in the sun.