The Salt Plains of Trappani....

After visiting the Segesta Temple, we were taken to a tour of the Trappani Salt Farms. Sicily's salt production has been an important industry since historical times. The sea water is first channelled into the first level lakes/lagoons which are about 1 meter deep. In these lakes one would find fishes and various other sea organisms living in it. By March or April the water would be pumped-up to the next level of lakes which are less deep and with the increasing heat of summer these lakes would first turn red in colour as the living creatures in them die and become decomposed by the bacteria in the lakes. With progressive evaporation throughout summer, the salt crystals would gradually replace the sea-water in the lakes and the foot-thick salt crystals will be harvested and taken out for sale.

the first level lakes with crystal-clear sea water..

fishes can be seen living in these lakes..

a windmill operates a salt-grinding machine
inside the warehouse..

as summer heat dries up the lake

the fishes and other creatures die

and bacteria decompose these living organisms

and turn the remaining water red...

The warehouse or factory at this salt farm has been turned into a museum exhibitng the ancient tools used in the salt industry. The old pictures on the walls also told its history. A very handsome and young Sicilian guide gave us a very informative run on the history as well as the old equipment used in the industry. The pictures below captured scenes of the musuem as well as of this handsome guide....

he could as well model for Giorgio Armani...