A study proposes a sustainable management model for the Duernas Saltworks

A study suggests a new governance model for the Duernas Saltworks to harness the environmental, cultural, and territorial value of this "white heritage" site in Córdoba and prevent its neglect

University of Córdoba

Nestled between the towns of Santa Cruz and Espejo in Córdoba, and surrounded by olive groves and fields of cereals, lies a treasure covering over 11 hectares, its  origins dating back 350 million years: the Duernas Saltworks (Las Salinas de Duernas). One of the largest saltworks in Córdoba, and exploited since Roman times, it was among the most productive in Andalusia during the 19th century. Although activity there has declined, and some of its buildings and structures are in a state of disrepair, Las Salinas de Duernas remain an ecosystem of great ecological, cultural, and territorial value. This is what inspired Rafael Vega Pozuelo, a researcher at the University of Córdoba, to identify the "pinch of salt" that could breathe new life into the Duernas Saltworks. The idea is for a sustainable management model combining conservation, artisanal production, and rural development.

The Duernas Saltworks provide salt year-round, independent of rainfall, and with high salinity levels —roughly four times that of seawater. The area's vegetation, adapted to the salty soil, provides a habitat for invertebrates and birds, and is complemented by an organizational structure that includes homes, warehouses, administrative facilities, and religious buildings. The Duernas Saltworks boast "important geological, ecological, and cultural assets that justify their designation as a high-priority landscape for integrated conservation and rural revitalization strategies," stated researcher Vega Pozuelo in a study published in the journal Wetlands Ecology and Management. Therefore, the challenge is to shift perspectives from viewing the site as an abandoned or disused industrial infrastructure to recognizing it as a socio-ecological landscape with heritage value, with their sustainability hinging on maintaining both environmental processes and traditional management practices.

To achieve this, after analyzing the Duernas Saltworks' advantages and disadvantages, and using the saltworks of the Valle Salado de Añana (Álava) as a yardstick, the UCO researcher has emphasized the importance of having a coordinated governance structure integrating heritage conservation, environmental management, and local development policies. Specifically, the author suggests that governance be coordinated through a "Duernas Saltworks Foundation," or a similar entity, with representation of landowners, the local municipalities (Santa Cruz and Espejo), the provincial council, the regional departments of environment and culture, universities, and civil society organizations. This entity would be responsible for preparing and implementing a long-term management plan, securing external funding (including from EU rural development and cultural heritage programs), forging partnerships with tour operators, and ensuring transparency and accountability.

Vega Pozuelo believes that a sustainable management model for Duernas should focus on preserving and showcasing the Saltworks' geological heritage and cultural landscape, as well as reviving artisanal salt production and complementary activities to drive sustainable rural development. It would also be necessary to restore and manage the saline habitats and establish a robust, participatory governance system.

Vega Pozuelo, therefore, proposes dividing the 11 hectares of the saltworks into five zones, each dedicated to different activities: producing high-quality artisanal salt for specialized markets, offering guided tours and educational programs, providing health and wellness activities, and even collaborating with artists and cultural stakeholders to carry out creative projects that reinterpret the salt landscape and uphold its symbolic value.

In short, as the researcher from the UCO's GEOEST group explains, "by adopting a management framework that integrates geological heritage, habitats, the cultural landscape, and rural livelihoods, Duernas can become a pilot site for the sustainable management of continental saline socio-ecosystems in arid agricultural basins. The proposed model isn't rigid. Rather, it's a flexible framework that can be adapted to other inland saltworks in Spain, Latin America, and elsewhere, thereby furthering the broader agenda of conserving saline wetlands and fostering sustainable rural territories."

Reference:

Vega-Pozuelo, R. Inland saltworks and sustainable rural territories: the Duernas socio ecosystem in the light of the Añana model. Wetlands Ecol Manage 34, 55 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-026-10136-w

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Journal

Wetlands Ecology and Management

DOI

10.1007/s11273-026-10136-w 

Article Title

Inland saltworks and sustainable rural territories: the Duernas socio‑ecosystem in the light of the Añana model