A photograph of tourists in a Moliceiro cruising past old wooden salt barns (Palheiro de Sal) along the Central Canal of Aveiro. Records showed that salt production dates back a thousand years in Aveiro, Portugal. The produced salt was supplied to Portugal and the rest of Northern Europe to preserve fish and meat for long sea voyages.

The Salt Barns were simple wooden structures made of pine wood with peaked roofs along the Central Canal. It was used to store the dry, harvested salts and also used for shelter of the salt workers and their tools.

The use of Salt Barns halted in the 16th century when the waters of the canals was blocked by heavy siltation. It was not until the 19th century that sea water was restored to the canals. By that time, the process of salt production has changed and there was no more need for the Salt Barns. It was repurposed for tourist accommodation, tasting rooms, or cultural heritage sites.

Random photographs of our travels. Memories found and captured in a photograph.

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