Salt nativity scenes took 120 thousand people to Rio Maior
The event, organized by Rio Grande City Hall, attracted citizens from all over the country. More than 40 unique salt pieces made by local artisans were displayed.
This year, around 120,000 people visited the Salt Nativity Scenes, an event organized by the City of Rio Maior as part of the City’s Christmas celebrations. There were more than 44 days of an initiative that transformed the village of Marinhas do Sal into one of the major centres of attraction for the Christmas season on a national level.
“The 2024 Salt Nativity Scenes were a success. This commitment by the City Hall attracted visitors from the north to the south of the country, who went to the Rio Maior Salt Flats – the only fully functioning indoor salt pans in Europe – to enjoy 41 Salt Nativity Scenes, unique pieces, of the most varied sizes, made by artisans and local merchants. I would like to thank the cooperative of salt producers and the traders at Marinhas do Sal, who worked very hard on this initiative. The Chamber is already preparing the 2025 edition, which will certainly be unforgettable”, says the Mayor of Rio Grande, Filipe Santana Dias.
The Salt Nativity Scenes were on display, between November 23rd and January 5th, in the various stores in Marinhas do Sal and in some places around it, with emphasis on the large nativity scenes, built with several tons of salt: one from the Municipal Council from Rio Maior, one from the Salt Producers Cooperative and the other from Loja do Sal.
Visitors were also able to enjoy traditional local commerce, in the village’s typical wooden houses, with handicrafts and salt from Rio Maior, as well as sweets and local cuisine. There was also no shortage of musical entertainment, with the Bandinha do Natal; workshops for children to learn how to work with salt; and the Enchanted Valley Labyrinth, where young and old could circulate in this space reminiscent of a village of gnomes.
In addition to the salt figures, Christmas celebrations in the Municipality also included an ice rink, inflatable toys, a buoy ramp, carousels and a Christmas market, among other activities, in the Center of Rio Maior. The City Hall initiative “Circulating Christmas” was once again one of the highlights, with the children’s theatre play Natal à Avessas being staged in all parishes in the Municipality.
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