Pico Island’s vineyard landscape has been awarded first prize in the “Best Development of a European Landscape of Cultural Relevance” category at the European Garden Awards.
The landscape, which has been protected since 1996, and was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004, was recognized this Friday by the European Garden Awards as “Best Development of a Cultural Landscape of European Relevance”, a category that awards interventions that “promote the safeguarding of natural and cultural values and the qualification of relevant cultural landscapes, contributing to the revitalization of territory”, explains the note of the Azorean executive.
Receiving the award, was at the ceremony held at the Schloss Dick Foundation in Dusseldorf, Germany, the director of the Pico Natural Park and the Technical Office of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture Landscape, Manuel Paulino Costa.
The “exceptional example of adapting farming practices to a demanding environment” through “actions that protect geodiversity, biodiversity and cultural heritage and promote integrated architecture” motivated the organization to distinguish the vineyard landscape of Pico Island , which spans over 700 hectares.
The vineyards are grown in small stone corrals that protect the grapes from wind and salt, in a tradition dating back to the 15th century, reaching a peak of production in the 19th century, before being abandoned due to diseases that affected crops and crops. desertification of the island.
Cited in a press release, the President of the Azores Regional Government, Vasco Cordeiro, highlights the strategy that has enabled, “preserving and safeguarding the environment, mobilizing one of the main assets to help the development of our region.”
The European Garden Awards are awarded every two years by the European Garden Heritage Network (EHGN), a network of partners from 14 countries. The selection by an international jury evaluates innovative implementation and management in urban development, sustainability and quality of services to visitors.