Parque Natural da Ria Formosa
Visitantes
Man's use of Ria Formosa's biological resources dates back to ancient times. During the period of the Roman presence in the Iberian Peninsula, the fish salting industry saw a considerable increase here.
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About
These tanks date from the first century AD and, in addition to canning fish, also served for the production of garum, a paste obtained by macerating and fermenting fish viscera and molluscs, to which aromatic herbs were added, and which had various applications. in cooking. This production was exported to various parts of the Roman Empire.
Origin
By the tanks, traces of warehouses and workers' quarters can be seen. This factory was part of an important villa - large property - which also included agricultural and horticultural area.
History
Archaeological work done in the last century has uncovered a temple, changing rooms and a workers' cemetery. The owner of this villa was a Roman citizen named Herennius.
Roman Presence
The Roman occupation left important traces in Olhão (fish salting ponds discovered in 1950 during the construction of the fishing port) and in Marim, near the Ria, where there was an important agricultural and fishing villa in the 19th century. II to IV. Here the Romans built salt pans and set up the fishing and salting industry, whose products were then exported throughout the Empire (some old fish salting tanks are currently on display in the Park)