I went to Shioyama where you can explore the fantastic salt-covered tunnel that used to mine salt
The city of Cardona, about 100 km north of Barcelona, Spain, once flourished as a rock salt mine and was in operation until 1990. The salt mountain where rock salt was mined is not in operation as of 2015, but it has been released as a tourist facility and it is said that the scenery that is rare in the world is spreading, so I actually went there.
Cardona Turisme | The Salt Mountain
Cardona is an old European town with narrow alleys that can be reached by train, taxi or bus from Barcelona.
One of the most famous salt mountains in the world is about 10 minutes by car and 30 minutes on foot from Cardona, and this time I walked with tech tech. The size of the city is very small and you can walk towards the green structures that you can see from a distance.
About 30 minutes on foot from the center of Cardona, I saw the sign of 'MUNTANYA DE SAL'.
When I was walking, I saw a rock salt miner. When you get close to it, you will be amazed at its size.
When we arrived at 10 am, there were a lot of tourists, but they were all coming by car.
Apply for a tour of Shioyama in the building at the back of the parking lot. The tour is held twice on weekdays at 11:30 and 13:30, and on Saturdays and Sundays every 30 minutes from 10:00 to 18:00.
The tour costs 11 euros per adult and is only available in Spanish or Catalan. At the time of application, you will be given a pamphlet, a map, and a hair-proof net.
I heard that I will go to Shioyama by a dedicated bus, so I will walk to the bus stop.
You can go to the bus stop by relying on the orange sign.
Arrive at the bus stop in about 3 minutes on foot.
I found a building behind the bus stop. I have time until the bus arrives, so I'll go inside.
Inside is a cafeteria ...
There was a souvenir shop selling figurines made of salt crystals. However, it seems that it was not the opening time yet, and the employees were cleaning it.
When I returned to the bus stop, I saw a lot of tourists. There was no Japanese.
This is the bus that takes you to Shioyama ... or rather, it has a trailer behind the car.
Get on the trailer.
When I was shaking with rattling, I could see Shioyama in front of me.
Arrived at the bus stop at the entrance of Shioyama in about 5 minutes.
This is Shioyama. The mountain surface is a cliff and has a pure white or grayish color.
A white object has already blown out from the ground in front of the entrance of the mine.
It looks like snow, but it's all salt. The Cardona area was sunk on the seabed until about 40 million years ago, and it is said that it rises due to crustal movements, seawater is trapped on land, water evaporates, salt crystallizes, and it exudes to the surface.
If you take a closer look at the mountain surface, you will find that everywhere is covered with salt.
A lot of salt is accumulated in the lower part probably because it exudes as water.
Looking closer, it seems that sharp objects are growing.
If you take a close-up shot, you can see that there is a lot of fine salt on it.
Some parts were crystallized.
Fine salt is also wiped out on the crystallized part.
After taking a closer look at the mountain surface, we finally headed to the mine shaft.
In addition, since there are places in the tunnel that are off limits, it is strictly forbidden to move around. The guide's explanation cannot be understood in Catalan, but if you ask a question in English, he will answer.
I was told that a lump of salt might fall, so I was handed a helmet before entering the mine.
The entrance of the mine is already covered with salt on the top, bottom, left and right.
The white walls are really like snow.
When you get very close, the salt is on the wall. It's strange.
The touch is quite solid.
I got the salt in my hand, so when I licked it, it was more salty than ordinary salt.
Looking up at the ceiling, there are even icicles.
Shooting is basically prohibited inside the mine, but the guide will tell you where it is okay to shoot. Salt is blowing out from all over the reddish brown wall, it's like another world. There are multiple tunnels, and the longer ones are said to be over 1000m.
Naturally, there is plenty of salt on the ground.
This is a ladder that was used before. It has been left unattended for many years and is covered with salt.
After walking with the guide for a while, I came to a place like a big hall. You can shoot this place freely. Everyone is taking a commemorative photo while being overwhelmed by the scenery.
The icicle-shaped salt hanging from the ceiling is longer than 1 m.
The appearance of many white icicles growing in a row is somewhat similar to a limestone cave.
The tip of the icicle is in a state where water droplets are about to fall. By repeating this for many years, we can make such a long icicle.
The wheelbarrow used in mining is shown in the image. It's completely covered with salt.
When you see the icicles hanging from the ceiling and the salt spreading like moss from the ground, you can feel the greatness of nature.
Underneath the white salt, you can see layers of clear salt crystals that are layered in reddish brown. This crystal was carved out and sold at a souvenir shop.
If you look at this part, you can see that water spouts from above to form icicles, and the water that has fallen to the ground evaporates and salt accumulates.
Salt that accumulates on the ground like konpeito.
After enjoying shooting for about 15 minutes in a space like a large hall, proceed to the exit.
After passing through the exit, walk back to the entrance and return the helmet.
This is the end of the Shioyama tour. I thought it was a great deal to be able to experience the awesomeness of nature and the sight of forgetting to blink with just the ticket price of about 1450 yen. Cardona is a difficult place to visit for sightseeing, but it's worth a visit even when you visit Barcelona.
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