Kolymbetra, Mediterranean garden in Valley of Temples, Italy
Kolymbetra is a six-hectare garden set between the Temple of Castor and Temple of Vulcan, containing olive groves, citrus orchards, and more than 300 plant species. Paths wind through orange, lemon, almond, and mulberry trees that create a dense green canopy across the land.
Around 480 BC, Carthaginian workers built aqueducts and a large pool at this location, as documented by ancient historian Diodorus. The facility served to supply water and food to the nearby temples and surrounding region.
The garden displays traditional Sicilian farming methods with clay channels and roof tiles that carry water across the land. You can see how these irrigation systems still work as you walk through the plantings.
Visitors enter through a gate near the Temple of Castor and Pollux, where paths lead through fruit groves and olive plantings. The ground can be uneven, especially after rain, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
The garden preserves rare citrus varieties like Sanguigno oranges and Femminello lemons that are disappearing from the world. These specific types grow in only a few places today, making this location a living seed bank for these plants.
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