Marsala and Salt 

Compared to yesterday’s ride to Erice today was a walk in the park, all flat and only 40 kms, from Trapani to Marsala via the salt pans. The salt pans are possible where there are shallow areas on the coast, where it is hot and dry and the wind blows to power the windmills. Basically the sea water evaporates and the salt is harvested. The windmills operate water pumps and grind the salt. This industry had been going on for a very long time here as a way to preserve food prior to refrigeration. At one point they were exporting to all of Europe through Trapani, and salt was known as white gold. Not so much now but still some happening. We visited a museum along the way and learned how the premium sea salt we buy at home is produced by this ancient process. 

Then we were off to Marsala where we sampled some dry and sweet Marsala wine before dinner and saw a bit of the town. 

Salt pans on the way to Marsala.

The pans are different colours depending on salt concentration.

Una pausa caffè and a visit to the salt museum.

Windmills were for grinding the salt and powering screw pumps.

Looking back to Erice, the bici, and the salt pans.