{"id":2447,"date":"2019-12-02T11:25:20","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T16:25:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.inkayniperutours.com\/blog\/?p=2447"},"modified":"2024-03-01T12:03:36","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T17:03:36","slug":"salt-mines-in-maras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inkayniperutours.com\/blog\/salt-mines-in-maras","title":{"rendered":"Salt Mines in Maras, an attractive site in the Sacred Valley of the Incas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Location of Maras Salt Mines:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Maras Salt Mines: Maras is a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 40 kilometers north of Cusco in Peru.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most outstanding attractions in the town of Maras is the Salt Mines, which its origin dates back to the Early Horizon period, having been reused during all prehispanic times and with more intensity in the Inca, Colonial, Republican and Contemporary periods.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are more than 3000 small pools, each owned by individual families. Every three days during the dry season, people will fill their pools up with saltwater that flows from a natural spring. Once the water evaporates, the salt gradually solidifies.<\/span><\/p>\n

These amazing constructions continue to provide the country and beyond with its pink salt which has been recommended by experts as a healthy option to flavor meals due to its curative properties.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Pueblo

Maras town<\/p><\/div>\n

How is the Pink Salt produced?<\/b><\/h4>\n

Sir Paulino Sinchi Roca, Salt Mines in Maras settler and worker,\u00a0 explained how the pink salt is produced. <\/span>The highly salty water comes from a spring underground. The flow from the springs is directed into a system of channels that runs into the salt ponds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once a pond is full of this hot salty spring water, the water channel is blocked; over the next few days, the sun evaporates the water, leaving crystals of pure salt that are scraped up. The water channel to the pond is reopened, and so the process continues.<\/span><\/p>\n

The salt extraction is done in layers, obtaining different commercial qualities:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Firstly is known as kitchen salt that is intended for domestic use<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Secondly of lower quality, is called bulk salt for domestic use, too.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Thirdly is called industrial salt, this serves exclusively for agriculture, the livestock and the industrial use.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    \"Proceso

    Salt Mines: Pink salt<\/p><\/div>\n

    Maras Pink Salt Properties:<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Many experts recommend the pink salt of Maras for people who suffer from hypertension because it has low levels of sodium. Maras salt also contains calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium, making it a perfect medicinal option for skin conditions and to treat swelling<\/span>. It is also appreciated for its medicinal properties, such as the prevention of hypertension, kidney stones and osteoporosis.<\/span><\/p>\n