The salt-harvesting tradition on the island of Menorca dates back to the 14th century. In 1303, Dalmau Sagarriga, royal lieutenant of the Kingdom of Mallorca, declared that salt collection for personal use would be free on the island of Menorca.
The ancient communities of Menorca collected salt deposited in natural containers carved into the coastal rocks, called cocós. The seawater filled them through the action of the waves. Then, during the dry season, the water evaporated and the salt remained.
In the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713, the English proposed establishing a naval base on the island, which would give them strategic control over the western Mediterranean. This led to concessions for salt production projects. All experiments were concentrated in the coastal areas of the northern part of the island.
There were four saltworks, all in the north of the island: La Concepción, formerly called Salines Noves, in Fornells. The saltworks of Tirant Vell, since then called Ses Salines Velles, also in Fornells. The Addaia Saltworks. The Mongofra Saltworks, located at the bottom of Addaia harbor.
Industrial salt production continued in the 20th century. Competition with salt imported from the large production areas in Spain and abroad forced the decline of Menorcan salt industry.
Of the four saltworks that existed at that time, La Concepción is the only one still in operation.
