Preparing the Roof – A Journey Back in Time

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This June, we will begin the complete renovation of the roof over the kitchen in our courtyard in Trastanello. The plan is to rebuild it using traditional methods—working with local canes, clay, and stones, just as it would have been done generations ago.

But every such project begins much earlier. At the end of February, we went out to harvest the canes, the essential first step in the process. They need time to dry properly, so they will be ready for use in the summer.

What followed felt like stepping into another century. Together with my Nigerian friends, Progres and Alex, and our local friend Sebastian, we spent the day in Sebastian’s riverside garden cutting and preparing the canes. It was physical, simple, and strangely grounding work—something that hasn’t changed much for hundreds of years.

Getting the canes back was an adventure in itself. At one point, we had to cross the river using a pulley hanging on a metal cable, and later ford the water carrying heavy bundles on our shoulders to reach the cars. It was not the easiest route—but it made the experience even more memorable.

In the end, it became a true international collaboration. Now, all the canes are drying quietly in the courtyard of the old priest house, waiting for June—when they will return to their purpose, becoming part of the roof once again.