A Muslim holy shrine standing on the shore of a natural landmark, which has very different aspects in winter and summer.
The Hala Sultan Tekke’s importance is surpassed only by the shrines of Mecca, Medina and Aksha(Jerusalem). It was here that the prophet Mohammed’s matemal aunt, Umm Haram, was buried in AD 649. Three enormous stones were raised to mark her grave and the site became an important pilgrimage site.
The mosque, with its distinctive dome and minaret, was built by the Turks in 1816, though the tombs was built in 1760. Visitors can enter the mosque but must respect the dress code and remove their shoes. In the summer the surrounding gardens are a relatively cool haven from the heat of the Salt Lake. This is a desert for much of the year, but in winter the lake fills with water and attracts a wide range of migrating birds. The most spectacular of the winter visitors are the flamingos, whose distinctive pink colour makes an attractive sight, though their numbers have greatly reduced in summer the water evaporates, leaving a dusty grey expanse that shimmers in the heath.
The salt was once a significant products in the island’s economy, but today it is not longer economically viable to collect. It originates from the nearby sea, seeping up through the porous rocks during the rainy months.
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