After treks and surveys across the rugged terraced landscapes of the Trieste Karst, the Monti Iblei, and the Aeolian Islands, I find myself reflecting on the immense human effort embedded in present-day landscapes — and the Mediterranean is a perfect example.
I am referring to the extraordinary toil of generations of farmers and shepherds who, little by little, carved out patches of cultivable land: digging irrigation channels, building terraced walls (like those you can see in this video), breaking up the soil, and sometimes even carrying earth onto bare rock.
These are not just ancient engineering feats. Beyond serving as some of the most effective natural defences against extreme events such as landslides and floods, these remarkable works are an integral part of the landscape we have inherited — and one we have both a practical and moral duty to protect.
pastlands.org 