Next day, we visited a "limonaia" one of the very few still operating. The limonaia system was invented in the 13th cent by the local Franciscan monks as a way of getting the frost-sensitive lemon tree through the winter. It was basically a primitive greenhouse, with wooden panels and straw insulation put in place during the winter months
 |
| Lizards still around in the sun ... |
 |
| The strange appearance of the limonias around 1900 - not particularly picturesque! |
 |
| As we climb upwards, the lake with its ferries comes into view |
 |
| The stone pillars, the wooden structures and the lemon trees appear |
 |
| Growing as an extra crop - capers - the first time we have seen these plants, and their tasty flowerbuds |
 |
| The limonaia seen from below |
 |
| As we wended our way home, we visited the 700 year old Franciscan cloisters, where the valuable lemon is commemorated on the capitals of the pillars |
Never heard of limonaia before. So would the structures in the picture be more filled up with wooden shuttering I'm winter?
ReplyDeleteYes, Lynn - they do that in November and leave it till March. In recent times, some glass could be included to allow some light in - but what did the monks do in the 13th cent when there was no glass of that sort?
ReplyDelete