The biggest part of planet earth is covered in salt and water, above and beneath the ground. These two minerals combined with the natural environment shape the so called saltscapes. They are locations in the natural habitat where salt production activity takes place. The main production sites are salt mines and saltworks, where salt is created either by the form of extrusion of rock salt halite or by evaporating brine.
The white, crystal formed, mineral is not only important for mankind, but as proven for the whole world. It has affected many civilizations and communities since antiquity. More knowledge about saltscapes is sought through salts’ importance, because after that comes the appreciation of the saltscapes’ benefits and values. Moreover, research will be carried out on ways and stages of production process, innovations that needed for easier, faster and safer acquisition, as well as the use of salt in construction.
Their overall interpretation will be investigated as sites of industrial but also non-industrial salt production. However, attention will also be given to the natural environment and the particular elements of the landscapes. As research site is chosen the Mediterranean Sea and the unique coastline of the Maltese Islands. This will finally lead to the illustration of its rocky coasts, an otherworldly saltscape, full of traditional salinas as interesting as their years of existence.
The purpose of the present research work is to highlight these neglected, yet so rich saltscapes as an attempt to draw attention to the cultural and natural heritage of each site of salinas. The aim is the exploration of matter and architecture from a new and different perspective with salt, water and soil as essential components.
