Salt pans of Cagliari: a journey through the history of white gold
The salt pans of Cagliari are one of the most important places in the Sardinian capital which should be visited at least once in a lifetime. If guests of Palazzo Doglio wish to admire the salt pans from a close, it is suggested they buy a Cultura Pack, an offer developed in collaboration with FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano).
Sardinia is a land full of legends, popular traditions, history and naturalistic beauty. If you choose Cagliari and the surrounding area as your next holiday destination you can’t miss out on the Saltworks of Cagliari.
Nearby Macchiareddu locality and Cagliari, midway between the splendid Sardinian sea and the famous European wetland Lagoon of Santa Gilla, are the Conti Vecchi Saltworks.
Conti Vecchi is a visible effect of how nature and the work of men can integrate and learn to live in harmony. The immense naturalistic area is, in fact, an industrial archaeological site of which a part still has an actively productive system.
The story of the salt pans is told through features of the period, immersive video projections and a route among natural pools, mountains of “white gold”, rich flora and splendid wild fauna. A voyage through ancient and new, past and present, discovering this historical symbol of the island.
The largest saltworks of Sardinia in the municipality of Assemini, Capoterra and Cagliari is more or less 2700 hectares. The idea of building the salt production plant belonged to engineer Luigi Conti Vecchi who made the ambitious project of improving the lagoon so to be rid of malaria and build the colossal salt plant which would contribute to social and economic development in a degrading area outside the city.
The grand project soon became a new and flourishing industrial reality, the vanguard establishment has an eco-sustainable and auto-sufficient plant. The area also hosted a “salt village” where there were housing, schools and recreational structures for families of the owners, directors and workers who lives in the Macchiareddu village.
The establishment soon became the economic motor of the area. Over 1000 employees and over two thousand tons of salt produced and exported to various parts of the world.
After the Second World War in the 70s, the structure belonged to SIR Ruminaca and in 1984 it was reassigned ex lege Eni who initiated an industrial reclamation with Eni Rewind because of the energy and industrial crisis. The environmental society Eni worked with principles of a circular economy to value the industrial grounds and the waste with sustainable and efficient projects.
A partnership between Eni Rewind and Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI) and a substantial intervention to recuperate and restore the area in 2017 has transformed the salt pans into a site open to the public which is now part of the cultural heritage of the island.
Visitors may discover the historical Direzione, Ufficio and Laboratorio chimico brought back to their original splendour just as they were in the 30s and know more about the history and function of the salt works with video projections in the ex carpenters workshop.
After the museum, you can also visit the salt production areas. The journey continues on a typical small train which runs through the salt pans of Cagliari, mountains of salt and a scenery populated by hundreds of flamingos.
Cagliari salt pans: the Cultura Pack at Palazzo Doglio
The collaboration between FAI, Palazzo Doglio, ex-home of the Prefecture and now a luxury hotel, brings its guests to discover the incredible story behind the salt pans in Cagliari with the Cultura Pack.
An exceptional program going through immersive projections, natural pools, sparkling mountains of salt and Sa genti arrubia I.e the flamingoes as the Sardinians call them.
Palazzo Doglio has included a FAI card in the package so to give it’s guests a year to discover the culturally rich Italian heritage.
Cultura Pack includes:
Treatment in B&B
Special visit to Conti Vecchi saltworks
A/R transfer to Conti Vecchi saltworks
Yearly FAI pass card
10% discount at the Osteria del Forte restaurant
10% discount on an excursion in Cagliari chosen among the Concierge suggestions
Maps and urban trekking routes to discover Cagliari
VIP treatment at arrival in the room
Wi-Fi included
Early Check-in / Late Check out
Room category upgrade (according to availability)
The starting price of the package is of 285,00 euros and foresees the following conditions:
Minimum Stay 2 nights
Rates in Euro, Delux room accommodation per night, in double occupancy
VAT included
The package cannot be joined with other offers and promotions
Transport services from/to hotel on request
Valid from the 01 June to the 30th September
