Land & water works in Ancient Faros

The Greek cadastral system has been fully respected during the continuous agricultural use of the plain, based on the same crops. This system is today perfectly identifiable, and has changed very little. Stari Grad Plain forms an agricultural and land use ensemble of great integrity. The authenticity of the Greek land division system known as chora is clearly in evidence throughout the plain. The built structures of the stone walls are authentic, with the same basic dry stone wall materials being used and reused since the foundation by the Greeks.

The lives of people living next to the field and their annual schedule, have always been tied to the farming and life cycles of the most important crops in the field – grapes and olives. Over the island there are also fig trees and lavender cultivations. It is noticeable that women in the area are still more active and handier on the field then men.

Cyprus trees were sometimes used as markers of plantations © Kristina Buzuk

Hydria Virtual Museum

Old wine-tree and old pine-tree stick for support © Kristina Buzuk

Hydria Virtual Museum

When a young man’s hand was as big as a fig leave it was time to sail the seas © Kristina Buzuk

Hydria Virtual Museum

The field around Stari Grad Plain was originally covered by dense forest © Kristina Buzuk

Hydria Virtual Museum

The vineyard cycle

The earliest record that specifies the time of year for specific field work is in a statute from 1331 AD. It states that the first time, grapevine should be ploughed in February and then again in May. And even today, the same rules apply. After January’s sleep, with the first warm days of February, a spring cycle begins. The most active part of the year ends in June. Two months during the summer mainly concern preserving the lineage from disease. In September the grape harvest starts and October is the month for producing wine. In November the harvest of olives starts. December and January are months for a break.