The existence and importance of the terrazzamenti terracing (or dry walls) in Italy is attested ever since the Neolithic Age and is well documented from the Middle Ages onward. Contour terraces and regular terraces remained in use until the second postwar period, because sharecropper contracts guaranteed their constant maintenance. Terraces were thus a regular feature of many hill and mountain landscapes in Italy, as well as in many southern European countries.
Italian agriculture has suffered a progressive decline that began 60 years ago. This phenomena has been even more evident in terraced landscapes, since they are less convenient and less remunerative to cultivate. Although they have a historical and aesthetic significance, and are a resource for agriculture and tourism, they are also a challenge for land conservation and management.
Fortunately there are currently several projects in Italy to reclaim these important artifact, one of those is the Associazione Adotta un terrazzamento in Canale di Brenta APS or “Adopt a terrace in the River Brenta Valley”. Their committee mediates between the landowners, presently abroad or unable to take care of the terraces, and mountain-lovers interested in supporting their conservation.
The project started after some experiences of ‘terrace adoption’ had occurred spontaneously in Valstagna (VI): the objective is to regulate and expand the activities, allowing anyone to adopt a terrace and provide direct or long-range support to the mountains of the Brenta River Valley.
Adopt a dry wall now!
