Carbonaie, luoghi del lavoro e valorizzazione turistica del paesaggio forestale nel comprensorio di Serra San Bruno

This paper presents a synthesis of a research aiming at the characterisation, interpretation and valorisation of the forestry landscape in in a mountainous region representative of Southern Italy, the area of Serra San Bruno in Calabria. Focus elements are the sites of traditional charcoal production, the old forests, other heritage sites related to the ancient monastic settlements and to industrial archaeology. In this area the old production methods still survive and five specialized concerns keep on producing charcoal by means of the traditional mound charcoal-kiln which show great scientific, cultural and tourism interest. A GIS was implemented for landscape resource management so as to define a system of thematic itineraries connecting the most relevant heritage resources and favouring their integrated valorisation. The Heritage Trail System defined is the starting point for the design and creation of a thematic Wood and Water Ecomuseum in the study area.