Action 2
Reorganization of the sheepfold

Above all, the northwestern part of the “Murgiano” Plateau, territory of shepherds, grasslands and woods, is characterized by dry stone structures, placed in the highest part with steep crags, so the “jazzi” (the sheepfold) are eroded, because of the exposure to south. Today they are only decadent structures, crumbling, decayed by time and disuse because the shepherds who have become breeders have preferred the new sheds, which have the function of keeping the animals according to an intensive management. The food is therefore no longer guaranteed by grazing (wild herbs) but by silage, herbs and feed. The restructuring and use of the “jazzo” as a shelter for sheep and goats is of great historical, social and cultural value, where all the peasant wisdom has been concentrated.

Today the “jazzo” has started to live again, to perform its nocturnal function, where it is possible to protect the animals. They have a great function in the prevention of fires and in the conservation of Mediterranean prairies and animal species of great naturalistic importance and of community interest (following the Habitats Directive 43/92 CEE and the Birds Directive 79/409 CEE). The recovery and commissioning of the “jazzo” performs at least two other important functions: i) it oversees that part of the territory to mitigate environmental risks due to fires, abusive grazing, abusive cuts of tree plants and uncontrolled collection of wild herbs; ii) it is a tourist-environmental attraction, with the aim of bringing the general public closer to the ancient pastoral traditions typical of the Murgia area.