Stonske Solane: Where the Sun Makes Salt

#hellohalloween On the outskirts of the Croatian town of Ston stands a field flooded with seawater. Stone basins, wooden shovels, the glitter of crystals, and the quiet creaking of rails. Here, wagons laden with salt slowly move along the narrow tracks—as if from another era. This is Stonske Solane—the oldest operating saltworks in Europe. Salt has been mined here for over 700 years, almost as it was in Venetian times. Seawater is poured into the basins, left to evaporate, and the fine white crystals are collected by hand. It's all simple—sun, wind, and patience. 📍 Location: Ston, Pelješac Peninsula, Croatia. 🕐 When to go: May to September, during evaporation season. ⸻ How to get there (current as of 2025) 🚗 By car: From Dubrovnik – about 1.5 hours on the D8 (Adriatic Highway). From Korčula – just over an hour. Parking at the saltworks is free. 🚌 By bus: Regular buses from Dubrovnik to Ston (1.5–2 hours, ticket about €10). From the bus stop to the saltworks, it's a 10-minute walk. 🎟️ Ticket: entrance – €5, guided tours available upon request. The shop at the saltworks sells hand-mined salt, cosmetics, and local delicacies. ⸻ What to see: — Stone pools where salt crystals are formed. — Small wagons that transport salt between sections on rails. — A museum at the saltworks with archival photos and antique tools. ☕ Tip: come late in the afternoon—when the sun sets, the water in the pools turns pink, and the rails shine like mirrors.