The restoration of this cistern has provided an opportunity to refocus attention on a nearly forgotten rural heritage. Roof cisterns are an ancient technique, very useful but now fallen into disuse. Restoring them means valorizing a knowledge that can still be fundamental for sustainable water management today.
The capacity of the restored cistern demonstrates that systems like this can offer significant economic savings and contribute to improving the landscape. Furthermore, the systematic reuse of these techniques could be a concrete solution to the drought and desertification phenomena threatening Southern Italy.
Throughout the Gravine range, many other traditional water systems exist, evidence of howmen has been able to adapt to water-scarce territories.
By restoring this cistern, the Gigante family, owners of Masseria la Gravina, has transformed an abandoned area into a space dedicated to the memory and culture of the area: a garden filled with native plants and shrubs that thrive thanks to the water collected from the cistern.
This project, located in the Terra delleGravine Regional Park, also takes on symbolic significance on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification on June 17, which draws attention to the responsible use of water and the importance of traditional techniques for restoring the balanceamong people, water and the environment.
