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The establishment of the Venetian saltworks in the Gulf of Elounda, on the north-east coast of Crete, goes back to the 14th-15th century A.D. They were continuously exploited since then, first by the Venetians and after 1647 by the Turks. From the first years of the 20th century onwards they operated under control of the Greek State, but the repeal of the State Salt Monopoly law led to the cessation of their operation in 1972.

The saltworks always played an important role in the economy of the poor and arid area of Elounda and the everyday life in the nearby villages, which were established along the coast of the Gulf in the 16th century, initially as temporary settlements for the workers of the saltworks. In the 20th century, many inhabitants of these villages continued to work in the cultivation and harvesting of salt, which also helped them to survive during the Second World War, under the German rule, as they could barter salt for food and other necessary goods. Furthermore, an old crystalliser of the saltworks was used for some decades as a spa of brine mud therapy for skeletal afflictions.

For many years after 1972 the saltworks were abandoned; the place was degraded and its waters were subject to soiling and pollution. It is only due to the high tourism development of the area of Elounda Gulf, during the last decades of 20th century that local authorities have entered into an effort of sanitation, protection and rehabilitation of the historic coastal wetland of the old saltworks. A project on the "Development of the Elounda Saltworks" was drawn up in 1999 and most of its findings and proposals were incorporated (2001) in the "Master Plan for the Municipal Area of Aghios Nikolaos" (the capital of Lassithi prefecture), in which region Elounda at present belongs. Currently, another project is under preparation, concerning the establishment of a Salt Museum, which will be installed in a restored stone-made salt storehouse at the north end of the saltworks. The possibility of limited salt production for tourist purposes, in the traditional methods and techniques, is being examined, too.

Last, but not least, the cleaned waters of the saltworks' wetland have begun to attract greater numbers and a better variety of wild birds, such as flamingos, swans, herons etc., which find refuge here in late autumn on their way to Africa and some of them remain for the winter, to feed and to rest on the banks of the saltpans.