After the fire: Museum and citizenship at work

In 2018, a devastating fire destroyed more than a thousand hectares of forest on Monte Pisano above the Certosa di Calci, a beautiful monastery dating back to 1366, which houses the Museum of Natural History of the University of Pisa. This catastrophic event inspired the establishment of a collaborative project comprising the citizens' association “Sportello di Agroecologia”, the Natural History Museum, and the Earth Science Department of the University of Pisa, with the aim of highlighting the historical and naturalistic heritage of Monte Pisano. The transformation of a ½ hectare plot of sloping land into an eco-park will serve as a microcosm of the mountain's natural and man-made environment. This involves the restoration and enhancement of its terraced slopes afflicted by the wildfire, respecting the original vegetation and characteristic landscape. Special attention is given to its dry-stone walls (the art of dry-stone walling is UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage since 2018), which are being repaired with some help and guidance of local artisans, thus transmitting a heritage of traditional know-how to the younger generations. Amongst other roles the park will host thematic tours and training courses on the historical, cultural, and naturalistic aspects of Monte Pisano, as well as serve as a recreational area for nature lovers.