| Elounda Salt Pans |
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On the south-eastern border of the Shisma settlement, near the submerged ancient city of Olous are the salt pans of Elounda. The salt pans have, for about five centuries, produced salt of excellent quality. These salt pans were first constructed by the Venetians (1211-1669) who since their arrival in Crete were extremely keen on producing salt to be used in food preservation and was considered a valuable commodity.
Then the Cretan Republic-independent with taxation obligation to the Turks-undertook the management of salt. From 1920 to 1972 the salt mines of Elounda were part of the Greek monopoly. During this period the salt was produced by the local population in a traditional manner without any use of modern machinery or chemical additives.
with the aid of the sun and the air its gradual vaporization took place. The highly concentrated waters then were moved to the shallow crystallization pans where the salt crystallized. The harvest of salt begin in September. Several laborers with the most basic of tools then undertook to “break” the crystallized salt, forming piles and later, transported it to the salt deport (Chiona). In additions to the salt friendly Greek climate, a lot of labour, knowledge and everyday care was necessary to produce good quality salt not compounded with other substances. Today the greatest part of the salt mines is in the sea and only during the summer one can notice the various sections. The local authorities have begun making dynamic efforts for the redevelopment of the salt mines for the creation of a modern Salt .
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