The Calabria Wild Wine Association has two perfectly complementary souls: one oriented towards the protection of ancient Calabrian vines and the other towards the protection of the cultural heritage of our countries. Recently, the Association has completed further interventions in the two stairways of the historic center of Scilla, adopted in 2022: the Giuseppe Garibaldi Staircase (next to the elevator) and the Serro Staircase.
The Association’s activity is rooted in the belief that the valorization of the cultural identity of small municipalities is fundamental for the growth and socio-economic development of local communities. Starting from this premise, during the winter of 2022, Calabria Wild Wine asked the Municipality of Scilla to adopt these two green areas of the historic center to safeguard and enhance them.
Calabria Wild Wine APS was born from the idea of a group of friends, with the aim of creating projects that highlight and protect the cultural, landscape and biodiversity heritage of Calabria. As a third sector body, the Association promotes actions for the protection of cultural and architectural heritage, the environment, the urban, rural and natural landscape, monuments and historic centres. These initiatives are carried out through environmental education in schools and the involvement of citizens, stimulating the intervention of public bodies to preserve the historical, artistic and environmental heritage.
Currently, Calabria Wild Wine has given life to two main projects: the recovery of ancient and native Calabrian vinesborn from the passion for Calabrian wines and the ancient vines of the region, and theadoption and renaturalization of greenery in the municipality of Scilla.
The adoption of the Giuseppe Garibaldi and Serro steps was born from the desire to combat the degradation present in some areas of the territory. Instead of remaining passive spectators, the Association decided to intervene concretely to improve the environment in which it lives. The objective is not only conservative, but aims at a complete recovery of the places to relaunch abandoned spaces and transform them into common goods for the community. For the renaturalization of the steps, shrub and tree species typical of the Mediterranean scrub were chosen, representative of the landscape of the Strait of Messina. All projects were carried out exclusively with the resources and efforts of the Association.
At the beginning of the intervention, the Scalinata Giuseppe Garibaldi was invaded by brushwood, brambles, rubble and garbage. After a thorough remediation, over 20 specimens of trees and shrubs were planted, including olive trees, agaves, bougainvillea, lavender, prickly pears, dwarf palms, cypresses, lantanas and rosemary. A young local craftsman rebuilt a dry stone wall, contributing to the renaturalization of the place.
Even in the Scalinata del Serro, the intervention began with the removal of vegetation and dirt. By observing numerous typical species of the Mediterranean scrub, the Association has created an educational-naturalistic route: the Serro path. A botanical journey in the Mediterranean scrub. Olive trees, rosemary, red juniper, myrtle, mastic, prickly pears, laurel, dwarf palm, broom and strawberry tree have been planted. Educational plates allow you to recognize botanical species, transforming the walk into an opportunity for learning and environmental education.
The intervention in Scilla di Calabria Wild Wine was recognized as best practice during the XIII international day of the National Institute of Urban Planning. The valorization of biodiversity and natural and landscape resources demonstrates how similar interventions can preserve the beauty of the place and rebuild a healthy bond with nature and the local community, motivating people to do better and better.
