Cultivate or quarry?
Quarry slate and Cultivate land
The San Giacomo quarryman, often the owner of arable land, alternates work in the quarries with agricultural activities. During the planting and harvesting seasons, the quarries are emptied of labor, highlighting the importance of agricultural activities.
The Olive Grove: A Precious Resource
The olive tree occupies an important place in the local economy, so much so that it is planted everywhere, even in the humid valleys of the hinterland. The production of high quality oil was an activity sought after by both the local bourgeoisie and the farmers.
Priority to cultivable land
In the economic and cultural evaluation of the quarryman-farmer, arable land took precedence over slate. When a quarry had to be opened in the terraced areas, attempts were made to reduce the damage to a minimum and the excavations often favored the extension of the terraced crops.
Payments and Production
The quarrymen-farmers were paid in seven annual installments, according to ancient customs. In the 19th century, the average annual earnings for each quarryman was around 625 lire, corresponding to around 2 lire per working day. This value tripled between 1797 and 1805.
Slate production
A slate quarryman was able to produce on average ten to twelve abbadini a day. Considering this production, the Ligurian slate industry in the nineteenth century produced over a million abadini per year, with Genoa importing around 600,000 of them annually.
Sources
Porcella M., “Gli uomini dell’ardesia”, in Centro di Documentazione della Civica Biblioteca di San Colombiano Certenoli (a c. di), “L’ardesia della Fontanabuona e le sculture di Pietro Burzi”, Chiavari, Grafica Piemme, 2017, collana “Quaderni del Lascito Cuneo”
Porcella M., “La fatica e la Merica”, Genova, Sagep, 1986
Trekking and cycling routes that may interest you
Itineraries of different durations and suitable for every taste and level of preparation, to discover the most beautiful and evocative places and panoramas of the Ligurian Tigullio.
Local experiences that might interest you
Let yourself be guided and be surprised by the hidden treasures that the Ligurian Tigullio area is capable of offering you in every season.
Sport
Hiking routes, climbing, mountain biking and much more… Choose the sport in contact with nature that’s right for you!
Culture
Shows, Theatre, Music, Food and Wine, Reading… Experience the cultural and artistic proposals, immersed in the Ligurian landscape.
Nature
Geology, bird watching, nature engineering and other initiatives, to cultivate awareness and responsibility for environmental issues.
More heritage that may interest you
Catalog of the tangible and intangible heritage, a precious resource of the Tigullio for community building and local development.
Join us!
Contribute to preserve the history and traditions of the Ligurian Tigullio area, and keep them alive for future generations.