Capri's Gold: The Association Saving the Island's Olive Groves and Identity

Anacapri and Capri, two municipalities on a single island, have long been at the centre of a series of phenomena that put their sustainability and identity at risk, starting from theovertourism, with all the consequences that this entails. The blue island is literally under siege: 12 people land here every three hours, and 91 percent of visitors arrive in the morning and leave before sunset.

In this fragile context, which risks compromising the future of one of the most famous islands in the world, a small green revolution has been born in Anacapri, thanks to the projects of theCapri Gold Association who works to recover the abandoned terraced olive groves and restore them to their original purpose, producing a top-quality, strictly organic extra virgin olive oil. A future built on the legacy of reclaiming the past.

Every year new trees are cleared of weeds and put back into production, with natural methods and traditional agricultural practices that respect the environment and protect the biodiversityTo date, approximately 50 hectares of olive groves, and hundreds of new olive trees have been planted alongside the historic trees, bringing a nearly lost landscape back to life.

It's not just about cultivation: the association's members are guaranteed support throughout the entire production cycle, from pruning to tilling the soil, from irrigation to pest control treatments, up to harvest. The transformation of olives into extra virgin olive oil It is done with the most advanced mill technologies, combining tradition and innovation.

Behind the agricultural commitment there is also a cultural and social dimension: the association involves the entire community of Capri in activities and projects aimed at recovery of ancient traditions, to the diffusion of the culture of respect for the environment and the protection of nature.

The three main objectives of the association are clear: protect the environment, including the coast and the sea, and the rural landscape; spread the culture of sustainability; enhance traditional agricultural practices (This too is an anti-waste strategy, as it allows us to preserve knowledge and activities.) A commitment that transforms Capri's olive groves into a symbol of memory, beauty, and responsibility towards the surrounding land and sea. 

The members of Oro di Napoli have also succeeded in carrying out interesting technical-scientific projects: a collaboration with the CNR in Perugia to identify olive tree pollinators, and research with the University of Agriculture of Portici on the aromatic characterization and study of polyphenols in oil samples and olive leaves from Oro di Capri members. 

Finally, thanks to the association's local work, the municipality of Anacapri has become a member of the National Association of Olive Oil Cities: a significant achievement for an island whose historic identity is threatened daily. 

The project is a candidate for the 2025 Non Sprecare Award, in the "Associations" section. To submit your projects, follow the instructions provided. here.

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