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The Cinti ( Belts ) of Memory

         There are places that can tell the history of people like no one else.
The Cinti (Belts) of Grassano, a small village in the Basilicata region in southern Italy, are an example.
This is a suggestive geological, naturalistic and architectural site, belonging to the Literary Park of Carlo Levi; fairly close to the historical part of Grassano, it is situated at the foot of the remains of the ancient castle built by the Knights of Malta.
A broad path goes through this place.

This path separates the Cinti from a deep slope from where your eyes get lost amid green valleys and hills.
The Cinti is an interesting geological site because, materially speaking, they represent a mix of pebbles of various sizes and colours of different origin, and sands in which shells and traces of materials that are typical of a sea habitat remind us of the sea that, about 1 – 2 million years ago, used to lap on this area.

During centuries numerous cellars have been dug out on the inside of the Cinti.
They are surrounded by a wild and multiform vegetation that grows amid gigantic rocks and spectacular breaks where many varieties of birds such as swallows, ravens and goldfinches come and reproduce here.

From this semi – natural vegetation made up especially of aromatic grasses strong and persistent smells are the rule here particularly in Springtime: among them the most common are the thistle ( silybum marianum ), the wild chicory ( cichorium intybus ), the oregano and the wild mint.

This place sends out a strange suggestion because the Knights of Malta, the former owners of cellars, and groups of bandits were here.
Even today the most ancient and collapsing cellars are said to be lived in by mischievous living creatures and the most superstitious exhort you not to pass through the path when it’s dark because the devil might be in ambush.

Historically speaking, cellars were built between the XVII and XIX centuries. All cellars have in common a curious façade made up of red bricks and stones as well as a big and wide front – door onto which there is usually a broad and small window, the only source of light for the interior of each cellar.

On the inside, cellars are usually aisleless and end up with a semicircular structure called "the vestry" where on big steps farmers used to keep the best quality wine.

Nowadays most cellars have bricked tanks where grapes just harvested are pressed and let to ferment.

Unfortunately the Cinti risks disappearing because of so many years of neglect.
That’s why a group of citizens supported by some intellectuals and naturalists have decided to involve them in this matter in order to save from neglect another piece of the historical memory of our area.

The initiative called "The Cinti of Memory" originated in order to let people discover and protect this piece of our land, because only what you know and appreciate can be saved and enjoyed by future generations.

Your help and collaboration is all we need in order to achieve our aim sooner or later.  Thank you.

Grassano, a literary village

© Traduzione  Paolo Abate

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