Molentargius Regional Natural Park - Saline - Sardinia: water and salt among flamingos, reeds and industrial memories. The Molentargius - Saline Regional Natural Park is a protected area in the heart of the metropolitan area of Cagliari, between the urban districts and the Poetto sea. Once home to one of the most productive salt pans in Europe, today it is an oasis where fresh and salt water coexist, hosting a surprising biodiversity just a few steps from the city. 🦩 Flamingos and birdlife between sky and ponds: The park is known for the presence of pink flamingos, symbol of the area and observable in every season. In addition to them, more than 230 species of birds live here, including herons, cormorants, black-winged stilts, coots and hawks. The landscape is dominated by ponds, canals and salt tanks, once the beating heart of the salt economy. 👉 Tip: Look out from the viewpoints at sunset: the flight of flamingos over the golden water is a spectacle that remains in the eyes. 🚴 Cycling and nature trails: The park is crisscrossed by a dense network of cycling and walking paths that make it accessible all year round. Wooden walkways, observation towers and picnic areas offer ideal spots for birdwatching and nature photography. The circular route allows you to discover all the rooms of the park with ease. 👉 Tip: Rent a bike at the entrance and walk around the entire perimeter - a gentle way to cross nature and silence. 🧂 History of salt and industrial landscape: The ancient state salt pans, now abandoned, preserve fascinating structures: canals, tracks, piers, evaporation tanks and old warehouses. The name "Molentargius" derives from the molenti (donkeys) that transported salt. The park is a rare example of conversion from a production site to a protected landscape, where industrial history dialogues with nature. 👉 Tip: Take a themed guided tour to learn how salt was made and how the area has changed over the past few decades. 🌿 Between city and nature, a fragile balance: The park is a green and blue lung in the urban fabric, where lake ecosystems alternate with areas of integral reserve. It is a perfect destination for outdoor activities, environmental education and quiet moments. In spring and summer, the blooms make the landscape even more impressive. 👉 Tip: Take a break at the Visitor Centre: you will find information materials, temporary exhibitions and activities for children. In Molentargius, water does not divide: it unites past and present, nature and city, silence and memory.