Notes on “terra rossa” and “bolo” in terra d’Otranto (Salento): landscape and natural resource
Terra Rossa is a typical Mediterranean soil that particularly characterizes the Salento landscape. This note is
intended as a further contribution to the knowledge of terra rossa and its less-known variant named “bolo”. This
natural material, besides its distinctive landscape character, so well described and represented by many artists
(i.e. Lionello Mandorino), represented a good natural resource for agriculture and construction material. For
many centuries red soils were quarried for various purposes clearly distinguishing the use of terra rossa from bolo
(see De Giorgi 1901; Galdieri, 1913). At present the technical knowledge on “bolo” utilization in the Salento
building tradition, and its supply area, is getting lost. We believe that resume and collect ancient literature
data on “bolo” use integrated by specific analyses could be a due tribute to the conservation of the historical-architectural traditions thus contributing to a more accurate history of the Salento territory.
