|
Bajardo
is a village with about 350 inhabitants; it lies within the province of
Imperia, in Italy’s region of Liguria.
The village is located in the Ligurian Maritime Alps at 900 m
over sea level, and spreads over 24,000 hectares, most of which are
covered by olive groves. The remaining area is fallow ground, on a part
of which flowers are now grown, and then vineyards, chestnut trees and
woods.
A vast pine-wood in the Armea valley is recognised by the EU as a
biotope. The historical village core, that was abandoned by the
population after the Second World War and only ruins of which are still
present today, was founded in the first millennium b.C. and has
maintained up to the present day its typical Ligurian country
architecture.
The olive oil produced here has always been renowned for its
extraordinary quality and fine taste. However, many parts of these olive
groves are no longer cultivated. Because of the location, up to 800 m
above sea level, the olive trees are not attacked by parasites, and have
therefore always been grown organically.
|
The
area suffers from strong depopulation, which
continued over the last few years, though a big effort was made
to counter it.
The village is located in the sunniest position in Liguria with optimal
climatic characteristics; two different climatic areas meet here,
creating a particular healthy micro-climate, that has positive effects
on the heart and on blood circulation.
Since 1999 the mayor of Bajardo is Gabriella Rosafio,
who, in collaboration with Bioliguria – EcoArchitettura,
has planned and in every way supported the reconstruction of the
historical village core and the whole concept for the revitalisation of
Bajardo.
|
