2023-09-16 16:06:37
An underground farm, complete with forest, of vegetable garden, vertical. The first – according to its creators – ever created in Italy. They inaugurated it in the last few hours Torrita di Sienaa town about sixty kilometers south-east of its capital, within reach of the A1, in the historic tunnel that the small community has used for centuries as a warehouseas well as how air raid shelter during the last war.
The gallery, in turn the subject of restoration and finally accessible again, has now become an exhibition itinerary dedicated to the agricultural tradition of the area which leads to the vertical vegetable garden, an absolutely innovative example of vegetable cultivation.
According to the Municipality’s press office, that of Siena is the first case in Italy of underground vertical farms, and reports having news of similar projects only in England e Japan. The system, thanks to the constant humidity and light conditions, allows the continuous cycle cultivation of salad, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, zuchinis, onions, basil e parsleyfor a total production estimated at around 30-40 kg of vegetables per month which will be destined for the municipal canteen. “With beyond 500 plants present in a surface of 6 square meters – has explained Matteo Welcome, the engineer who designed the vertical farm – you get the production equivalent to that of a 50 square meter vegetable garden active all year round”.
The president of the Tuscany Region Giani during the inauguration
It is possible to manage the vertical garden remotely thanks to an accurate technological kit; however, volunteers trained to carry out the task will be present periodically to plant the plants, collect the products and accompany visitors throughout the tunnel, 186 meters long, 3 meters wide and up to 23 meters deep at the lowest point.
The renovation of the tunnel, together with the inclusion of the vertical farm at the end in Via Traversa Valdichiana Ovest, were works carried out by the municipal administration, with the approval of the State Property Office and the Superintendence, for a total expense ofi 270mila euroin order to return to the community a significant place for Torrita di Siena for the citizens and those who will discover it.
“This project seemed unfeasible at the beginning – he commented Mayor of Torrita di Siena Giacomo Grazi – but today, thanks to the commitment of many collaborators and technicians, it is finally a beautiful reality in our Municipality. He attended the premiere the president of the Tuscany Region Eugenio Giani.
Torrita di Siena, view
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