ITLA>ITLA Journal>Vol 3, No 2>Experiences from the field
Experiences from the fieldOpen AccessPublished: October 2025

European Terraced Landscape Festival, October to November 2024

  • Vassiliki Petropoulou Panayiotou1
Affiliations
  1. 1 ITLA Cyprus, Salamiou, Cyprus

International Terraced Landscapes Alliance Journal volume 3, issue 2, pp. 68–93 (2025) · Cite this article

Abstract

Emphasizes experiential learning through touch, observation, and collaboration, teaching children and volunteers the cultural and ecological significance of drystone walls.

European Terraced Landscape Activities October- November 2024

Our theme this year has widened to include ways of understanding the historic terraced sites as Landscape-Foodscape-Artscape.

The terraces bordering the south stretch of Kamilostrata have been brought to life after our last year’s restoration efforts so we can see how the environment has benefitted. This year we tackled the terraces on the northern side of the path. The location amidst almond groves offers a beautiful experience.

Figure 3
Figure 3. The reconstructed Kamilostrata drystone walls
Figure 4
Figure 4. Led by Panayiotis and Argyris we all are laying stones building the walls
Figure 5
Figure 5. In the footsteps of the Apostles
Figure 6
Figure 6. Embracing the Apostolic Olive Trees

“Walk in the Footsteps of the Apostles”

Salamiou’s historic terraced route. For the hike we set off towards the spectacularly unique ancient Apostolic Olive Trees, passing a bit of roman tiled road, learned toponyms, folklore, saw colours of soil shades from white, to mauve to ochre and a running Terebynth tree.

Figure 7
Figure 7. Admiring the Terebynth tree
Figure 8
Figure 8. Enjoying the picnic of local food under the olive trees

Team Terract at European Heritage Days, Cyprus

Our master drystone wallers from Salamiou, Panayiotis, Argyris and Andrea’s showing us just how intangible restoring a “Stiadi” or traditional drystone field shelter is. Locality: Innia lands, Akamas, just above Lara Bay.

Figure 9
Figure 9. Restoring the walls of the field shelter made of stones
Figure 10
Figure 10. Collective construction work
Figure 11
Figure 11. Even the youngest try their best and learn drystone walling
Figure 12
Figure 12. Well done – a cheerful group of drystone wallers
Figure 13
Figure 13. Observing, touching, feeling and assembling the stones
Figure 14
Figure 14. Back at the school the children design their own walls
Figure 15
Figure 15. Learning the names of walls in Greek

Pedagogy: Educating with the senses

Experiencing new types of learning, particularly involving young people and children.

Figure 16
Figure 16. Reflecting about the experiences of the Festival in Lagria Tavern in town

Connecting with farmers, communities, drystone wallers, artists and specialists.

The Secondary School students of Salamiou present their initiative in collaboration with Birdlife and the educational team of Terrace Landscape Heritage, which involves their creation of decorated bird-nests.

Figure 17
Figure 17. Celebrating with delicious sweets the hard work. Photo by Andria Papageorgiou
Figure 18
Figure 18. The young constructors of birdcages for the nature trails in Salamiou. Photo by Elpida Kiriakou
Figure 19
Figure 19. Colourful results making attractiv e birdcages
Figure 20
Figure 20. Argyris fixes the commeorative plaque on the drystone wall

A guided tour to ‘Kamilostrata’

A commemorative inaugural plaque placed.

Figure 21
Figure 21. Touring the reconstructed Kamilostrata wall
Figure 22
Figure 22. Sevina highlights the value of the drystone walls and praises the skills of the drystone wallers

Distrata Drystone wall construction

Our final terrace building workshop: Reclaiming the terraced landscape at Distrata locality in Salamiou, one stone at a time. An event that searches through active participation for a deeper knowledge and connection. One that acknowledges the local wisdom and allows it space for action and expression.

Figure 23
Figure 23. We restore a new drystone wall in Distrata on the way to Lagria Winery
Figure 24
Figure 24. We finish a long stretch of drystone wall along the roadside
Figure 25
Figure 25. The celebration of the food from the terraces: harvest tabel in Lagria Winery
Figure 26
Figure 26. We finalise our construction work in Lagria Winery enjoying the food and wine of the terraces on our tongue

From our Terraces to your table

A bountiful harvest table presented at the Lagria Winery. Biodiversity - Food - Products

Figure
Figure 27
Figure 27. Georgia Lambrou Γεωργία Λάμπρου
Figure 28
Figure 28. Christina Charalambous Χριστίνα Χαραλάμπους

Firescapes

The importance of cultivated land on Terraced Landscapes and the building of Dry Stone Walls in the active initiative to curtail fires. Art School drawings under the guidance of the teacher Elpida Kiriakou.

Figure 29
Figure 29. Zoe Mouerova Ζωή Μούεροβα
Figure 30
Figure 30. Marina Saridou Μαρίνα Σαρίδου
Figure 32
Figure 32. NikosXenofondos Νίκος Ξενοφώντος
Figure 33
Figure 33. Andria Papageorgiou Άντρια Παπαγεωργίου
Figure 34
Figure 34. Teacher Elpida Kiriakou Ελπίδα Κυριακού

Acknowledgement

Thank you for the support of ITLA. Timmi Tillmann and Maruja Salas. You are an inspiration. Thank you for the financial support from the Department of Town Planning and Housing and to Andrianni Charalambous for her enthusiasm and crucial support.

Special gratitude for the contribution from Amfiaraos Construction Company both financial and talent. Panayiotis Panayiotou and Argyris Panayiotou, your special gift in being able to share and teach the precious knowledge of dry-stone wall construction but also by sharing your knowledge of the land, the village, history and folklore contribute to what makes Terract valuable. Our thanks to Lagria Winery for the use of the unique setting of the cava for our harvest table presentation, for the delicious wine, for continuing to use the terraced landscapes and providing a destination for the local farmers to bring their precious crops. A genuine acknowledgement to Andri and Elena Kedariti for incorporating this event into their syllabus and creating such a precious learning experience to their toddlers. Thank you for sharing the journey and contributing to our visual presentation. The results were extraordinary.

Thank you to the teachers from the Environmental Educational Centre. Maria Neophytou and Maria Georgiou your continued support and inclusion into the Primary School visits is so appreciated.

To my gifted Melina Papageorgiou, thank you for the amazing poster, for the Bird box and participating in every aspect of the event.

To my talented Andria Papageorgiou, thank you for your participation in the activities of the event, the photography and for incorporating your fellow classmates and teachers to help construct and decorate the useful birdhouses. The results were wonderful. Thank you to Andreas Ioannou and Andreas Christodoulou. Your tireless contribution to teaching this dry-stone walling craft is empowering.

Thank you to all that took part in the activities included in this event and helped us make it a wonderful reality.

A heartfelt thank you to my partner, Sevina Floridou. Your knowledge, writing, focus, dedication, passion and energy is greatly appreciated. Your partnership is pivotal in making our events an outstanding success. I hope for many more adventures with you. Sevina Floridou Architect

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About the authors

  1. 1 ITLA Cyprus, Salamiou, Cyprus

Sonia Schmid (Italy)

was born in Trento, Italy, and lives in Rovereto where she works in a hospital as a biomedical laboratory technician. She is part of La Pimpinella association, whose mission is to protect the agricultural biodiversity of the Trentino region. She is attentive to the agrarian landscape where she walks slowly observing and collecting evidence. She is selftaught in method and writing. On the occasion of the Terraced Landscape Festival organized by the Sassi e non solo association, she exhibited the texts of some short stories about place names related to the stones of the Terragnolo valley.

Rights and permissions

Open Access. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source and indicate if changes were made.

About this article

Cite this article

Petropoulou Panayiotou, V. (2025). European Terraced Landscape Festival, October to November 2024. International Terraced Landscapes Alliance Journal, 3(2), 68–93.

Published
October 2025
Journal
International Terraced Landscapes Alliance Journal, ISSN 2754-7639 (Online)

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