NATURAL PARK OF THE SALTWORKS OF SEČOVLJE

Between Piran and Portorož, a landscape of ponds and derelict houses awaits the visitor. Three of these have been rebuilt, including the one housing the museum. A second has been renovated in keeping with the typical habitat. In its heyday, the area was home to 400 salt workers' houses. They were rented out from April to September. The men fished out of season. The salt harvest ended in 1960. However, the activity continues thanks to the museum and the estate, which has been a nature park since 2001. The museum is housed in a former salt-makers' house, next to a man-made canal. On the first floor is the salt barn. The two openings provided access to the canal and the salt pans.

The wooden container known as an albol was used to load 50 kg of salt, harvested after a fortnight or so, depending on weather conditions. The whiter the salt, the higher its price. On the second floor, the walls don't reach the ceiling. This allows air to circulate between the three rooms. Kitchen utensils and seals used to mark the origin of breads (there was only one oven for each family) are on display. Of particular note: the compass rose, indicative of a plant highly sensitive to weather variations.

Outside, head for a pretty mill that used to pump out the overflow of water. Today, it's a poetic summer cool-down for visitors. Birds love this wetland.