This time our friend Francesca shows us a particular aspect of his island.

The salt flats, site near the Poetto beach, are now part of the regional park of Molentargius which extends between between the municipalities of Cagliari, Quartu Sant'Elena, Quartucciu and Selargius

The Molentargius park is one of the most important wetlands in Europe (classified as a "site of Community importance" and "wetland of international importance"), rich in flora and fauna.

Among the fauna, we must mention the pink flamingo became a symbol of the wetlands of Cagliari.

A short history:
Salterns:
The extraction of salt dates back to about 3000 years ago with the Phoenicians appropriations continuing with the Spanish domination and sequentially with the Savoy.
In the 30's the extraction method completely changed with the opening of the evaporating ponds system formed, by salting tanks, the lifting equipment and water channeling.
In 1984, for health and hygiene reasons the activity was ceased.

The Molentargius park:
established to protect the natural environment, in 1999, in 2005 the renovation work was completed.
Also in 2005, the Consortium of the park is set up.

For more info:
wikipedia: Saline
wikipedia: Parco naturale regionale Molentargius

Thank to our friend Francesca for the beautiful photographs