Who we are

The association Archeologia Arborea is located in San Lorenzo di Lerchi, Citta' di Castello, in the Province of Perugia, in the Umbria region. For many years the association Archeologia Arborea has been searching for rare and forgotten local fruit tree varieties and species with the goal of rescuing them from extinction by using local knowledge and people's memories of lost flavors and tastes.

This search for old fruit tree varieties started about 25 years ago, in the upper Tiber valley arising out of an interest of folk traditions, local cultivation methods, as well as the local food history. The primary and most practical goal of the research was to concretely rescue these plants by visiting abandoned properties, parish gardens, and orchards of monasteries, above all of cloisters. Much information and data used in our research has been collected by consulting ancient agricultural manuscripts, as well as textbooks from professors of agriculture who traveled the region long ago, and from topographical maps.

The collected materials throughout the years have formed A RICH COLLECTION that is located on the premises of our small farm. This farm is located in the village of San Lorenzo di Larchi. We grow our trees by applying traditional local methods and these trees have become an integral part of a historical agricultural landscape of rare beauty and uniqueness.

the collection can be toured only by reserving a visit from April to October.

We also conduct educational activities for schools of various grades (elementary, junior high, and high school), as well as for groups that promote the sustainable conservation of the environment.

In addition, we offer consultation to rescue, or replant old varieties of fruit trees and plants. We also assists clients in restoring old family orchards with traditional local varieties.

Where we are

We are located in Citta’ di Castello, 53 km from Perugia, along the E45 highway.

From highway E45, take exit for the industrial district of Citta’ di Castello. Follow directions for Arezzo. After 2.5 km, you will arrive in Lerchi. Go through the village, and turn left at the sign for San Lorenzo – Archeologia Arborea.

If you come from Florence, take the Arezzo exit from highway E35 and follow the directions for Citta’ di Castello. Once you have passed the village of Monterchi, Lerchi is the next town before Citta’ di Castello. After passing the town sign for Lerchi, turn right on the street with the sign for San Lorenzo – Archeologia Arborea.

Out guest house in San Lorenzo di Lerchi

The independent inn called La Casina Degli Sposi, or "The Little House of Marriage" can be rent for €500/week, from April to October (€650/week in June, July and August, September).

The guest house consists of:
kitchen, one bedrom and bathrom - on the ground floor
two bedrooms and one bathrom - on the first floor

Associated members of Archeologia Arborea anjoy a discount of 10%

The house is open from April to october. Visitors can taste the organic products of our vegetable garden and orchard, and can purchase the house wine.

For further information contact:
ISABELLA DALLA RAGIONE
SAN. LORENZO DI LERCHI CITTA' DI CASTELLO (PG)
Phone 0039 - 335 6128439
e mail: archeo.arb@libero.it

The association Archeologia Arborea

In 1989, the association Archeologia Arborea was established to support the following activities: (1) to promote research aimed at conserving the ancient fruit tree plants that are part of the Della Ragione family collection; and (2) to disseminate knowledge about the existence of the collection, and the efforts to conserve and enlarge it.

The members of the Association can adopt a plant from the collection (“distance adoption” are also welcomed) by paying a life time fee of minimum 150 Euro. The owner of the plant owns its fruit and can consume all but three of them. These three remaining fruits will be left on the plant: one for the sun, one for the earth, and one for the plant itself according to an ancient local tradition.

To become a member of the Association, one has to select a plant to adopt, and pay a one-time fee (minimum of 150 Euro). An original diploma will be awarded accordingly.

The member of the Association is required to respect the rules as laid out in the Statute and to visit the adopted plant.

To inquire about joining the Association, please contact:
ISABELLA DALLA RAGIONE - ASSOCIAZIONE ARCHEOLOGIA ARBOREA
SAN LORENZO DI LERCHI CITTA’ DI CASTELLO (PG)
Phone 0039-335 6128439
e mail: archeo.arb@libero.it

Statute of the association Archeologia Arborea

Certificate of Adoption
n....................
has adopted

CHARTER

The Arboreal Archeological Association has its head office in San Lorenzo di Lerchi, Città di Castello, Perugia in the Region of Umbria. The promoter is Prof. Livio Dalla ragione, Director of Centro Documentazione delle Tradizioni popolari di Città di Castello together with a group of friends. Anyone who loves nature can join . The Association is no profit making.

The aim of Arboreal Archeology is the restoration, defence and protection of fruit trees of antique origin and therefore the saving of a genetic heritage which would otherwise be destinated for extinction.

To become a member of Arboreal Archeology one must:

• adopt one of the plants already in existence in the Archeological Collection of san Lorenzo – the member can also see to the planting in the park of a palnt found by his/her self which is not present among among the plants already selected.
• Vist the adopted plant at least once a year paying a symbolic homage.
• If the adopter (or Tutor) does not fulfil the task of visiting the adopted plant, after two years of absence he loses this right and the plant can be reinserted in the list of plants to be adopted.
• In the case of death of the tutor, the custody of the plant will pass to the direct heirs, under condition that they accept to take part of the Association. Otherwise the plant will return to the care of the Arboreal Archeology.
• In San Lorenzo di Lerchi a register of the Archeological plants present has been compiled. For each plant a family tree has been drawn up, establishing its origin, its recovery, its transfer aswell as the name of its current tutor.
• Members of the Arboreal Archeology can stay in the woodlands of San Lorenzo, for a brief periods and subject to availability, with the advantage of a discount of 10% off the price of accommodation and off the products of the Associatio.
• Every member has naturally the right to the yield of the plant it has adopted, except for three fruits: one for the sun, one for the ground and one for the plant. The member is personally responsible for the harvest of the fruits, which otherwise will left for the birds, insects and other inhabitants of the wood.
• The period of adoption is conditioned by the natural life of the plant. In case of natural death the member has the priority right to adopt another plant.

On reading the charter, the member hereby accepts and signs

The most recent projects

• September 2001 – June 2005: As part of the initiative to promote the value of genetic resources from Umbria region, the project “Plant biodiversity in the Umbria region and its conservation”, in collaboration with the University of Perugia, Department of Plant Biology and agro-environmental biotechnologies.
• From September 2002 and continuing: collaboration with the program BIODIVERSITY ABRUZZO sponsored by A.R.S.S.A. Abruzzo and coordinated by the University of Perugia, Department of Plant Biology and agro-environmental biotechnologies.
• June 2002 – June 2005: Project to enlarge and promote the existent collection of Archeologia Arborea within the Umbria region program to enhance local research, conservation, and promotion of the genetic resources.
• September 2004: Orchard plants exhibits in the Lippi Room of the Umbria Bank, and at the agricultural department of the University of Perugia, in collaboration with the University of Perugia, Department of Plant Biology and agro-environmental biotechnologies.

Promotional and outreach activities

Since April 2005, Isabella Dalla Ragione is a staff writer of the monthly magazine "Ville e Giardini," where she writes a column on ancient fruit orchards.

Isabella and Livio Dalla Ragione are also the authors of the book, "Archeologia Arborea, Diario di due cercatori di piante", Ali e No Editore - 2006 III edizione. Now is translated in english : “ARBOREAL ARCHEOLOGY, A DIARY OF TWO FRUIT EXPLORERS” The book is available in bookstores, or can be ordered directly from the publishing house. The publishing house can be contacted by e-mail at: info@alienoeditrice.net