No. 25 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine

20
GET TO KNOW GRAN CANARIA I CONOCE GRAN CANARIA EDICIÓN 25
Las Salinas de Tenefé
A mineral treasure with centuries of history
Situated on the east coast of Gran Canaria is the
small town of Pozo Izquierdo, a place renowned
internationally for hosting important water sports
events such as the Windsurfing World Championship
and the Kitesurfing World Cup. These have
contributed to its rise in fame, attracting more and
more visitors from all over the world.
The strong and predominant trade winds constantly
whip into this town, which makes it an
idyllic enclave for the practice of these sports. But
Pozo Izquierdo owes its name to the existence of
a freshwater well in the vicinity of the beach, and
offers a wide range of amenities for visitors, such
as accommodation, restaurants and shops and
schools specialising in water sports. In the midst of
this landscape is an ancestral treasure, boasting a
unique heritage that continues to remind us of the
importance that salt production used to have in
the past, not only for the inhabitants of the island
but for the entire Canary Islands archipelago.
On the coastline, and occupying a protected area
of more than 20,000 square metres, are the Tenefé
Salt Mines, built at the end of the 18th century and
recognised by UNESCO as an Asset of Cultural Interest
in 2005. These salt mines are not only noted
for the coveted product obtained from them and
for their historical and cultural importance, but
also for the beauty of the landscape that they bring
to the environment.
In general, the saltworks have been very important
for the Canary Islands since time immemorial,
because in addition to being a salt supplier
for the inhabitants and a crucial source of income
for the islands, salting was an essential method
of food preservation back in colonial times. This
was especially the case for fish, which was a fundamental
part of the diet of the inhabitants of the
archipelago.
Specifically, the Tenefé salt mines are the third
largest salt mines in the Canary Islands and the
largest in Gran Canaria. To get a closer look at the
production process which produces more than
100 tonnes of salt a year, visitors can take a guided
tour which includes a small exhibition explaining
to both locals and tourists, with a large number
of resources, the uses, history and nature of this
particular salt, as well as its relevance for our gastronomy
and the benefits for our organism. Visitors
can also see how this white gold is extracted
from the ponds and prepared for sale. In addition,
they can walk along the sign-posted paths that
run through or around the salt pans while enjoying
the beautiful surroundings.
The salt production process is still very similar to
the process used back then, and it all starts with
the tides. The water enters the main channel
coinciding with the highest tides of the month,
which are produced by the full moon or the new
moon, which fill the first water tank, called the
"cocedero". Then, thanks to the sun and the wind,
the water begins to heat up, causing it to evaporate
while the salt concentrates. After five days,
the water is changed in the tanks to continue facilitating
evaporation. These deposits are called
crystallising wells, they are almost square pools
formed by stones and a mud bottom that have
such a characteristic range of colours generated
by the microalgae Dunaliella Salina, one of the
few living beings that can withstand such adverse
conditions. Once the water has evaporated,
the crystallised salt remains on the surface ready
for collection.
The salt produced in these salt pans is used both
for human consumption and for industrial processes,
and is marketed in different formats and
varieties, such as the much-lauded 'fleur de sel'
and smoked salt.
In short, the Salinas de Tenefé highlights the efforts
of modern day salt producers to keep the
tradition alive and to transform the environment
to obtain its fruits. It is a place where visitors can
enjoy the tranquillity and the beauty of its landscapes.
The best time to visit is at sunset, when
the sun reflects in the pools where the water
evaporates and produces an array of beautiful
shades and colours, irresistible for the camera
lens.
Tenefé is a natural environment that invites quiet
contemplation, and is an essential destination for
those seeking to discover a different side to the
history and culture of Gran Canaria. It is an ancestral
treasure that is still alive and kicking and is
well worth being discovered and appreciated by
visitors to the island.