At Kolymbethra, the landscape of the irrigated citrus garden coexists with the arid landscape of Mediterranean dryland horticulture. This small space was designed to tell the essence of this place, planting the symbolic plants of a polycultural landscape, a living memory of centuries-old agricultural history and tradition.
To the right, the theme of the irrigated garden: from the saja (a traditional irrigation channel) flows water, which, after lifting ‘u zappeddu (a water-lifting device), enters a “cunnuttu”—a channel made of overturned terracotta tiles—pouring into the “conca,” at the center of which is the citrus tree to be watered. On one side of the saja, an untidy row of reeds sways in the wind. The water is diverted in three points to irrigate three citrus trees: an orange, a lemon, and a tree bearing two fruits, symbols of the rich biodiversity of this ancient citrus orchard, where sixteen rare varieties are preserved. A myrtle hedge recalls the synergistic relationship with the Mediterranean scrub, and there is no lawn, only bare, compacted soil, shaped only by the large basins that delimit the trees.
The space on the left is bordered on two sides by a prickly pear hedge, while a pomegranate hedge connects the two parts of the garden. Inside, a large olive tree recalls dryland agriculture, a hardy, essential, and angular tree that dominates a rise. The soil is arid, cracked, yet the plants speak of its fertility and productive capacity. Two small symbolic gardens simply encapsulate the idea expressed by the Kolymbethra Garden.
In 1778, Abbot Richard of Saint-Non described Kolymbethra as follows: “A small valley that, due to its remarkable fertility, resembles a corner of Eden or the Promised Land.”