Suddenly, 30km far from sea, we can find this salt cooperative-production factory. There are reports on Rio Maior saltworks since 1177. In this mountainous area the rain waters fall down on the limestone soil and easily infiltrate till invisible underground water streams. One of those is in contact with an underground big salt-rock massif. The salted water of the stream is pumped from a well into the saltworks.

The annual production of around 1.500,00 tones is sold either to national or international customers. For cooking purpose Germany considers this salt as the best in the world.