Roots of Stone and Silver Leaves - The Terract Story in Rural Cyprus
- Christina Pistenti
- Nov 26, 2025
- 4 min read
The village of Salamiou is one of the places where the Terract initiative has been visible since it began nine years ago. The support that the project has been shown by the residents of Salamiou reflects the importance of maintaining and sustaining the beauty and heritage of the countryside around the village.
What is Terract?
Terract is a community landscape and heritage project that focuses on protecting and re-connecting traditional features found in the Cypriot countryside – especially the ancient olive trees, the terraced landscapes and the tradition of constructing dry-stone walls. It is really important that these skills are passed down through the generations and are also embraced by new volunteers. In Salamiou, this aspect of the project has been successfully combined with conservation work which has included pruning programmes for even the oldest olive trees. Some of the dry stone walls in the area have also been rebuilt and these hands-on activities have been supported by educational information about the environment and a variety of cultural activities that have showcased rural life.
What is the history of Terract?
The ambitious Terract initiative was first established in 2016 by Vas Petropoulou Panayiotou of Lagria Hospitality in Salamiou with the goal of breathing new life and bringing new interest into the countryside. This would include different projects including the revival of the traditional rural practice of dry stone walling and the preservation of the rare and ancient type of olive tree found on the western slopes of the village of Salamiou.
Dry Stone Wall Construction Education has been registered with UNESCO on its list of activities that promote cultural heritage. Salamiou has been supported in this initiative by government departments and several local companies as well as environmental groups.
Vas Petropoulou lives with her family in Salamiou and in an interview with Paul Lambis in the Cyprus Mail in December 2021, explained its importance – not just for today, but the future -
“Terract is all about active participation versus passive tourism. Through the initiative, we encourage visitors to get involved in village life with agriculture and food production, living and interacting with the local community, promoting responsible tourism and help build dry-stone walls to protect and support the ancient olive trees.”
What is the importance of dry stone walling?
Dry stone walling in Cyprus has a long history and dates from ancient times when farmers and shepherds built stone walls without mortar to define boundaries, terrace steep hillsides and help manage precious rainwater in the island’s rugged terrain. Using local limestone and other native stones, these skilfully balanced walls became an integral part of the character of the Cypriot landscape – reflecting both practicality and creativity.
Beyond their agricultural use, dry stone walls are good habitats for numerous species of small wildlife and are a living record of traditional craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations. Today, the dry stone walls are recognised not only for their cultural and historical significance but also for their ecological value and contribution to sustainable land management. This type of wall promotes a harmonious relationship between people and the natural environment.
Why are the olive trees in Salamiou so special?
The ancient olive trees that grow on the western slopes of the village are very important as they are the living heritage of the village. Local residents often refer to them as the ‘Apostolic Olive Trees’. The trees are said to be about two thousand years old and tradition tells how the trees grew from olive stones discarded by the Apostles Paul, Varnavas and Marko as they walked through the area en route to Paphos in AD46.
Certainly, the Apostolic Olive Trees are truly magnificent and they are different to the thousands of other olive trees found on the island. The branches of these olive trees grow upwards and do not spread as widely as other trees and the olives they produce are larger and more almond-shaped. The olives have a distinctive juicy flavour when they are ripe and ready for harvesting. They produce a good quantity of the best quality olive oil.
How Terract is being supported by the villagers of Salamiou
Skill sharing
Local stone masons and olive, grape and almond growers help train volunteers in the construction of dry stone walls and also how to correctly prune trees.
Environmental Education
Salamiou has an Environmental Educational Centre that is situated in the old village school and this is regularly used for presentations on local flora and fauna, how to harvest water and how to successfully create a terraced landscape. There have been important annual events to mark the European Day of Terraced Landscapes.
To develop interest, Terract regularly organises days for volunteers to learn the different skills and also guided walks through the landscape for everyone to learn more about its amazing heritage and its key importance.
Visitor Experiences
The village promotes some excellent experiences for visitors which include tree pruning and tasting of local products as Salamiou produces honey, wine, almonds, herbs, grapes, and olives.
These events raise the profile of local conservation and also create some income for local producers.
Why is Terract important to Salamiou?
Restoring, repairing and maintaining the dry stone walls and terraces on the hillsides surrounding Salamiou, not only safeguards the character of this beautiful rural area and the traditional style of farming, but the walls reduce erosion by improving water retention in the soil.
Protecting the ancient olive trees of Salamiou is of great importance because they are unique and are part of the village’s living heritage.
Teaching young people skills such as traditional pruning and stone masonry helps protect these valuable skills from dying out.
