The Network of Cattle Tracks in Abruzzo: Historical Heritage, Cultural Restoration and Development of the Territory

One of the features belonging to the Italian historical and environmental heritage is the cultural legacy bequeathed by the inhabitants who lived in the Central and Southern Apennine Mountains. Their main activity was animal breeding, especially sheep, which had been, for many centuries, the most important source of income for this area poor in resources. This aspect led to the cultural development and traditions based on the territory, which was marked by cattle tracks (in Italian "tratturi"), where flocks and herds were moved from the mountains of Abruzzo and Molise to the plains of the Tavoliere di Puglia, along the transhumance paths. For this invaluable historical, archaeological, cultural and environmental asset it is necessary to undertake restoration and development measures, aiming at tourism and employment growth in those areas, suffering from a constant rural depopulation, and at environmental protection of the territory, since it is losing its identity and its quality is diminishing.