introduction | protecting threatened species | safeguarding biodiversity | improving water quality | enhancing the landscape | managing the archaeological heritage | restoring land for recreation | reducing neighbourhood noise | blending into the landscape | informing the community | creating nature reserves | conserving geological heritage | reducing environmental impacts

Restoring Land For Recreation

BACKGROUND

The quarry is situated in the South East of the higher plain of the Venici Giulia region on the land under the local authorities of Villorba and Spresiano. This is in the Treviso Province along the edge of the Venice to Treviso motorway.

It was specifically to provide the materials necessary for the construction of the motorway that this quarry was established. However at the end of the work, the whole area which took in three distinct quarries for excavation was abandoned and rapidly fell into seriously deteriorating condition for the surrounding area.

ACTION

In 1975 the Mosole S.P.A. Company decided to take on the ownership of the area and began, in agreement with the local authority, an ambitious project of restoration of the site for sport and recreation activities.

Wishing at the same time to act economically and to guarantee the best condition for future restoration, the different small lakes were at first separated in order to subsequently merge them into one large expanse of water in 1979.

Then still in 1979, the company went on to the restoration of all the embankments of the quarry: after having first secured then reshaped them, in order to soften the slopes. A first bank was established around the lake in order that this was accessible from all sides.

The restoration of the area above the water basin was particularly difficult since it demanded the moving of enormous quantities of earth to remodel the embankments, the transposition of fertile planted earth and the permanent control of the grass-covered topsoil. That provided the opportunity to improve the soil quality and the microclimate of the soil and to create the necessary conditions for the plantation of indigenous trees and scrubs which over the year would enhance the natural value of the site. Then a circular road was constructed on the summit of the embankment. This was completely planted with trees and linked to the lower road by a series of access slopes. Finally a large part of the road network of the quarry was asphalted.

RESULTS

In 1981, it was decided to exclude the surface of the quarry by purchasing an adjacent piece of land on the West side on which there were several historic buildings. These were in an abandoned state and dated from the end of the seventeenth century and which in origin served to store material and agricultural produce.

In this way at the same time as the excavation work, the transport of earth, and the replanting in the interior of the buildings the necessary construction work was started for their conservation. This was in agreement and under the surveillance of the architectural and conservation organisation of Venice.

In particular the repair of one part of the roof was undertaken and demolition of a number of interior walls and of the conservation of the structure with similar materials to the original ones.

On the outside, the aim was to create a natural passage between the zone where the historic buildings were located and that part of the quarry already restored as a result of an embankment gently sloping toward the lake, the effect of which is very attractive. The beauty of the embankment is enhanced by the tracks reserved for walkers, bordered by trees and bushes.

It is precisely the admirable and challenging restoration initiative in the heritage and architectural field, combined with the quarry restoration and the company endeavour to provide in future a sports and recreational centre, that won Mosole S.P.A. the prestigious 3rd 2001 European Restoration Award.

introduction | protecting threatened species | safeguarding biodiversity | improving water quality | enhancing the landscape | managing the archaeological heritage | restoring land for recreation | reducing neighbourhood noise | blending into the landscape | informing the community | creating nature reserves | conserving geological heritage | reducing environmental impacts