Salt Treasures

Saelices de la Sal, a town with a surname that evokes its most precious wealth: salt. In this charming corner of Guadalajara are the San Juan Salt Flats, a white treasure declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2007. Since then, both the Saelices de la Sal City Council and the Nature and Development Foundation have worked to restore these salt flats to their splendor. from yesteryear, being in an excellent state of restoration.

History

The salt wells must have been known since ancient times, although there is no written record. But it is true that in the province of Guadalajara we have many points where brackish water emerges. Specifically, our area has been occupied by our ancestors for at least 30,000 years (Cueva de los Casares, Riba de Saelices). And this precious mineral, salt, is essential for life, not only of human beings, but of all animals.

We also know of Celtiberian forts in nearby places, Roman and Arab settlements... But the first written reference dates back to 1203 where they are named as part of the Atienza District (75 km from Saelices de la Sal).

Uses of salt

As we said, this mineral is essential for life, since it helps our cells stay hydrated and function correctly, as if it were a key that opens the door for water to enter them. Perhaps this is why animals instinctively like to lick certain stones rich in salts. Maybe our ancestors did it too. That is why it is used in cooking, to enhance the flavor of other foods. Our taste buds are designed to capture this flavor and it gives us a certain "pleasure" to the sense of taste.

But beyond being a vital mineral, salt has played a crucial role in all cultures on earth and has been the object of the creation of migratory routes since the Neolithic. Other important uses in the past were the preservation of food through salting, forging iron or fixing dyes in fabrics. In ancient times, salt was so valuable that it was even used as currency and was considered a symbol of wealth and power.

Today, the San Juan Salt Flats have been carefully restored and are exploited each summer to obtain the jewel in the crown: the fleur de sel. This delicate product is ideal for enhancing the flavor of meat, fish and even a simple garden tomato with a touch of extra virgin olive oil.

We invite you to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the San Juan Salt Flats and discover the Salt Treasures that Saelices de la Sal hides. Check our dates and times to live a unique experience that will transport you through the centuries, while you enjoy the beauty of this unique landscape and the gastronomic wealth that salt has provided to humanity since time immemorial.