The town of Piran has a rich history, deeply intertwined with salt making, which shaped its economic and cultural development for centuries. The salt pans near the town, especially Sečovlje and Strunjan, were key to trade and prosperity. Salt was a precious commodity, also known as “white gold,” linking the people of Piran with the Republic of Venice. Today, salt making preserves traditional extraction methods, and the salt is protected as a premium local product.
The “Saltmakers’ Festival” is one of the most significant tributes to the history and identity of the town and its residents. Since the people of Piran chose St. George as their patron saint in 1343—who, according to legend, saved the town and its citizens from a catastrophic storm—the event held before the start of the salt-making season is called the “Saltmakers’ Festival on St. George’s Day.”
The salt-making season used to end around St. Bartholomew’s Day, August 24th, when salt-making families would slowly return to their homes after a Thanksgiving mass for the harvest.
“With this festival, the people of Piran want to pay tribute to everyone who has been part of this thousand-year story. We want to show every visitor to our medieval town how important and priceless salt making and coexistence with the sea truly are. Only those who are informed and aware will continue to preserve this heritage. Remember, in every grain of Piran salt you use, a piece of our soul and history is reflected.” – Slobodan Simič Sime
More program details coming soon.
Organizer: Avditorij Portorož - Portorose with the support of the Portorož Tourist Board, the Municipality of Piran, and Okolje Piran.
