The exploitation of salt in Walachia during the Middle Ages
The exploitation of salt in Walachia during the Middle Ages

Summary/Abstract: Salt has represented a great wealth of Wallachia. During the Middle Ages, 7 salt mines have been functioning here: Ocnele Mari (1408), Ocna Mica (1517), Telega (1562), Ghitioara (1577), Teisani (1682), Slanic (1682) and Sararu (1705). Among these, Ocnele Mari and Slanic have been the most productive. The salt mines were the property of the ruler and lent to some of the greater boyars. The ruler controlled the salt production. The inhabitants of the areas with salt reserves at the surface would dig the salt out in a „folk” manner. Starting with the XVIIth century, the ruler imposed his control over this form of exploitation as well in order to maintain the salt price within the country and in the exportation.

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