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Dry stone walls represent one of the oldest and most fascinating forms of rural architecture in the Mediterranean basin, deeply rooted in the Sardinian landscape. Built by superimposing stones without the use of binders or cement, they tell a story of perfect balance between human activity and nature, the result of ancient knowledge that combines rigorous technique, patience and knowledge handed down from generation to generation.
Recognized in 2018 as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, these structures are not only elements of demarcation or containment: they protect the soil from erosion, promote biodiversity, prevent hydrogeological risks and represent a tangible symbol of community, cooperation and cultural identity.
Dry construction is based on precise geometric and physical principles. The stones are carefully selected and arranged using rules of interlocking, weight and drainage that guarantee stability and durability over the centuries, interacting harmoniously with the agrarian and pastoral microclimate.
If today we admire dry stone walls as identifying elements of extraordinary aesthetic and environmental value, in the past their diffusion has marked a complex and in many ways dramatic historical chapter for the Sardinian populations. With the introduction of the Closing Edict of 1820, a profound process of privatization and enclosure of land began, which altered the ancient community and agro-pastoral balances, radically redefining the relationship between land ownership and collective land use.
Significant examples of land interventions funded by the PNRR Rural Architecture
A virtuous example is represented by the redevelopment of the Olive Park and the Olive Valley in Sorradile, where the restoration of the retaining walls and historic terraces was accompanied by the restoration of rainwater regulation, the reduction of erosive phenomena and the educational and environmental enhancement of the area. In several cases, dry stone walls will delimit access to unmanaged archaeological areas such as Tergu and Dolianova, allowing the public to benefit from new infrastructures for walking in nature and learning about history.
Finally, with dry stone walls, the fences of churches and country sanctuaries have been delimited
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