My Region of Portugal

[rizwanroshan]

Hi
I like to visit Portugal.

[siobhanwf]

At only 3 km from the center of Rio Maior city, (and 30kms from the sea!) you find a small typical village facing the salt-marshes, along with shops with traditional products and restaurants.
These salt-marshes are a whim of Nature'
The salt itself is pure salt (97.94% sodium chloride).
A subterranean stream passes through a extensive and deep salt mine and feeds a well where a water seven times more salty than the Atlantic Ocean is extracted. Thought it is believed that the salt extraction occurred in prehistoric time, the oldest document known is under the date of 1177.

There are references to the salt mines of Rio Maior since 1177, in written documents that are indeed the oldest of Rio Maior. It is also known as D. Afonso V owned five butchers in the salt mines of Rio Maior in the fifteenth century, and he received one fourth of the entire production and the monopoly of its sale.
The economic importance of salt for the region is represented in the two pyramids of salt depicted in the Coat of arms of Rio Maior
These salt-marshes are a true museum where the salt extraction methods had little change since its eight centuries of history.

the work is seasonal, occurring only during the summer months, when the inhabitants of the neighborhood down the slope of the Sierra Candeeiros.

The salt flats are divided into compartments of various sizes, which is called butchers. These are made ​​of cement or stone and have little depth. Currently, the salt water is drawn from the well by means of a motor, and subsequently distributed by the butchers, by Regueiro. The narrow paths that separate the butchers, the sailors used to move between compartments, and are called cockroaches. In addition to these there are the esgoteiros, where salt water is put to later be distributed to butchers.
For the drying process to complete, the salt is placed on floors, and is subsequently transported to the old wooden houses, where it is stored and sold. Some of these typical wooden houses, are used as cafes, restaurants and shops of handicrafts, which form the support tour this authentic living museum.

You can buy a kilo of rock salt for 0,50 euros

[MsSpicy]

Ahh some lovely images from a country I've come to love

[nandnjudge2]

Is this something else OK


YouTube - ‪THE PHOTOGRAPHERS DREAM NORTHERN PORTUGAL‬‏

[ferragudofan]

Ferragudo for me!
If I am allowed to add link to my blog as this has photos and info on this lovely fishing village on the Algarve:
Discovering Ferragudo | Algarve Blog

[The Patriot]

Great photo's

[jsmoir]

Originally Posted by omostra06

Portugal is a lovely country with a rich diversity of scenery from mountains, forests, lakes and rivers, to plains and coastline with fantastic beaches, cities and historic villages.

Why not post some pictures of your region of Portugal or your favorite place to visit in Portugal, along with some info for others to enjoy.

Hi, as we are considering the Azores, do you think there should be a separate Azores/Madeira forum for stuff like this, or should it be put in with the mainland Portugal stuff?

thanks ever.

JS

[siobhanwf]

Originally Posted by jsmoir

Hi, as we are considering the Azores, do you think there should be a separate Azores/Madeira forum for stuff like this, or should it be put in with the mainland Portugal stuff?

thanks ever.

JS

There are not enough members to have a separate section I am afraid.