Protect
COMMITMENT 1
LANDSCAPE, AGRICULTURE AND VITICULTURE
Supporting agricultural and wine-growing development while respecting landscape balance through a proactive and coordinated land use and urban planning policy.
Le Major Site is committed to maintaining the’natural balance of the landscape by supporting agricultural dynamics, in particular wine-growing. The’main issue is from preserving the diversity of the agricultural mosaic while respecting the remarkable landscape features of the Major Site, such as the «strette», the string of hills that animate the conch, the steep slopes of scrubland that line the limestone ridge of Sant'Anghjulu.
Actions taken
To protect the’balance between agricultural dynamics and landscape quality, the Major Site is undertaking several concrete actions. Through the facilitation of the Landscape charter, architectural and environmental, via a Support and Consultation Committee that brings together the investigating services and partners of the Major Site, the quality of agricultural construction projects and from vineyards and other crops enable the landscape integrity of the territory to be preserved.
At the same time, the Major Site ensures the integration of Landscape, architectural and environmental charter in the urban planning documents of the municipalities within the perimeter (local urban planning documents, municipal maps). Finally, more in-depth landscape studies are being carried out in order to refine the Landscape charter and update it in light of the challenges of energy transition (specific section on solar installations).
COMMITMENT 2
ECOLOGICAL RISKS AND CONTINUITY
Optimising the management of natural and man-made risks, preserving ecological continuity and natural environments through landscaping
The prevention of natural and man-made risks, particularly floods and fires, is a major challenge for the resilience of the Grand Site's territory and landscapes. In the context of climate change, it is becoming essential to anticipate and coordinate actions, both technically and in terms of raising awareness, to ensure effective protection that respects the landscape identity of the territory.
Actions taken
As part of a prevention strategy, several concrete actions have been taken to improve risk management in the area. The implementation of the fire prevention and control plan is the main action. The Grand Site is therefore involved in the deployment of DFCI equipment, through the installation of fire blankets, or by supporting municipalities in the implementation of Municipal Brush Clearing Plans to ensure compliance with legal brush clearing obligations.
In terms of anthropogenic risk, the Grand Site supports and encourages winegrowers to set up systems for collecting and treating their wine-making effluents. The aim of this initiative is to protect natural environments, which can be significantly polluted in the event of effluent spills.
COMMITMENT 3
HERITAGE AND ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY
Enhancing architectural and landscape qualities by managing village dynamics and restoring built heritage
The architectural heritage of the Grand Site reflects the history and geography of the area. The dwellings are traditionally grouped together and follow the contours of the land, forming village silhouettes that stand out against the landscape. While religious architecture stands out thanks to its iconic bell towers in the panoramic views, the defensive and rural heritage also contributes to shaping the identity and richness of traditional buildings. This heritage is a strong marker in the region, which must be preserved while adapting to contemporary challenges.
Actions taken
Through its support for project developers within the Support and Consultation Committee, which brings together local authorities and planning departments, the Grand Site is committed to preserving its architectural heritage and its urban and village fabric. Project developers are therefore invited to consult the Support and Consultation Committee in order to improve the architectural and landscape quality of their construction projects.
The members of the Commission rely on the Grand Site's Landscape, Architecture and Environment Charter, which defines principles and recommendations that are tailored and specific to the area. The use of local materials, Mediterranean species or colours from the colour palette of this Charter ensures, for example, harmonious continuity between old and contemporary buildings, in keeping with the spirit of the place.
To protect listed historic monuments, the Grand Site supports initiatives undertaken by local councils in the area. As a result, the municipalities of Farinole and Poggio-d'Oletta have recently succeeded in acquiring listed historical monuments: the Genoese tower in Farinole and the San Quilicu chapel. The aim is both to preserve and restore the architecture of these monuments and to enhance their surroundings and access.
Finally, the Grand Site is working to raise awareness of small-scale agricultural heritage buildings and supporting the restoration of «pagliaghji».
COMMITMENT 4
VISUAL NUISANCES
Reducing visual impact through landscape redevelopment, burying overhead networks and eliminating black spots
The balcony roads, stops in the heart of villages or the surroundings of monuments offer numerous viewpoints and belvederes. The foreground of these panoramas is sometimes marred by elements of little heritage value (old signage, fly-tipping, etc.) or poorly maintained facilities (proliferation of overhead cables, unintegrated collection points, etc.). These occasional nuisances alter the perception and emotion evoked by the exceptional characteristics of the Grand Site.
Actions taken
The Grand Site management plan includes several measures to reduce these visual disturbances:
- Burying overhead power and telephone lines, particularly in the strette, villages and vineyards.
- Reduction in advertising hoardings and pre-signs
- Design of a mural on the former Barbaggio quarry, aiming to transform this degraded site into a work of art.
- Removal of abandoned car wrecks from the slopes of scenic roads
COMMITMENT 5
BIODIVERSITY AND NATURAL AREAS
Adopting a comprehensive strategy for managing natural areas that benefits the site and the landscapes
The Grand Site boasts remarkable biodiversity within protected natural areas. Numerous animal species (insects, arachnids, molluscs, birds, reptiles, mammals, etc.) and plant species are also present in agricultural areas (vineyards, olive groves, meadows) and their surroundings (ditches, hedges, grass strips). The challenge is to gain a better understanding of species and natural habitats and, more generally, remarkable ecosystems in order to better protect and enhance them.
Actions taken
The Grand Site is committed to preserving biodiversity, in particular by deepening knowledge of natural areas, fauna and flora. A Municipal Biodiversity Atlas was launched in 2025 covering the six municipalities of the Grand Site. The aim is to carry out additional inventories of both remarkable and common species and to propose conservation measures. This approach also aims to improve understanding of the interactions between natural environments and agricultural activities. By working in partnership with the Patrimonio AOP, this study reinforces and supports the winegrowers' desire to develop agriculture that respects biodiversity.
The Grand Site is particularly committed to preserving aquatic and wetland environments: this is known as the turquoise network. Rivers and wetlands play a central role in biodiversity, particularly in terms of «strette», which are also remarkable from a landscape perspective. These sensitive areas are ecological corridors that enable wildlife species to move around, reproduce and feed. Restoration and awareness-raising initiatives are planned in order to maintain these ecosystems.