Ulivi, paesaggio e prodotti tipici come componenti del patrimonio

The current attitude towards «heritage» is also valid for the concept of «nature» and especially for animate nature. Within it, the «monumental trees» are one of the most meaningful examples of the transformation into heritage. A particularly interesting case is represented by the «Apulian secular olive trees», which have been recently protected and promoted by the region Apulia through new rules and regulations. These rules and laws resulted from a movement of opinion focused on preventing the secular olive trees from being uprooted, trafficked and sold to the regions of Northern Italy. After their nationwide and local recognition, the Apulian secular olive trees are going forward even further, by undergoing a «consecration» of their universal asset value. Along this path it’s worth remembering the registration, already occurred, to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2010) of the Mediterranean Diet and it’s also worth mentioning the recent request to include the editerranean olive-yard landscape among the properties forming part of the World Heritage (Convention UNESCO, 1972).