Ses Salines

Coastal municipality in the Migjorn region, in the southeast of the island. The municipality is not very large, but it includes the tourist centre of sa Colònia de Sant Jordi, a very popular summer resort. The village of ses Salines is small and quiet, and the most outstanding heritage elements are the parish church of Sant Bartomeu, in neoclassical style; the tower of Can Barberà next to the church, from 1677; the church Vella, from 1644, and the old manor house of Can Bonico, converted into a boutique hotel.

Many archaeological remains have been found in and around the village. One of the most important heritage elements is the archaeological site of els Antigors, on the outskirts of the village. The talaiòtic settlement dates back to the year 1000 B.C and remains of both talaiots (megalithic constructions) and the wall that surrounded the settlement.

In the tourist centre of sa Colònia de Sant Jordi, there is a small fishing port and a wide range of hotels, bars, and restaurants. But the most outstanding features are the beaches and sandy coves in the area, some of which are among the most emblematic on the island, such as the extensive sandy beaches of es Dolç, es Coto, and es Carbó.

For nature lovers, sa Colònia de Sant Jordi is home to the visitor centre of the National Maritime-Terrestrial Park of the Cabrera archipelago, and boats leave from the port to go to Cabrera. Part of the area of sa Colònia is also included in the Maritime-Terrestrial Natural Park of es Trenc-Salobrar de Campos, a protected natural area of great ecological and scenic wealth, which includes a significant number of different habitats: dunes, pine and juniper groves, salt marshes, cultivated areas, saltworks and extensive Posidonia meadows (Posidonia oceanica), a marine plant native to the Mediterranean Sea.

Salt is a very representative product of the area. The saltworks of sa Colònia de Sant Jordi are among the oldest in the Mediterranean, dating back to the 4th century BC. The salt activity continues and, at the end of April, the Fira de Sal i Salaons (salt and salted fish fair) is held, a thematic fair dedicated to salt, where you can buy salt from the saltworks and all kinds of products derived from it, as well as salt from other countries, salt preserves, and spices, etc. There are also guided tours of the saltworks, a gastronomic and craft exhibition, music...