The Pantescan Garden. The eternal and loyal battle between men and Nature

Pantelleria is called the Black Pearl for its characteristic lava stones. But is also a thousand-shade island. On one side you have the blue sea that embraces the island; on the other, the green vegetation that grows spontaneously. Occasionally, the colour breaks through the black dry stone walls that surround the properties: the yellow colour of lemon and cedar trees and the orange colour of the orange and tangerine trees.

The constructions that characterise these gardens can be compared to 4mts high fortresses, with a 2.5mts diameter. They represent the human wit, which cuts out its own space, unconcerned about the natural elements. The crops in Pantelleria have to hide from the wind and the drought. When the economy of the island was based almost entirely on agriculture, human ingenuity was able to adapt to the climate and the environment. Is a “difficult” land with a peculiar nature, but fertile at the same time, despite everything.

The Pantescan Garden would be built just besides the dammuso and in almost every property; probably imported from the Arabic world; it was used to retain the mist of the night on the inside during the long periods of drought.

Basically, this little fortress was built to protect the citrus tree on the inside from the strong winds that often blow through the island. By protecting them in this way, the trees would enjoy a micro climate, producing sweet and juicy fruits “from which to make delicious jams that today delight the sight and the palates of those who are lucky to see and taste its quality”.

In Pantelleria “men’s hand seized with intelligent mastery and without tearing up its natural features and for what they are worth crossing the whole territory, loving it with as hard as the natural elements can do and that have the power to provide the soul”.

(from, by Antonietta Valenza)

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