Rocca Imperiale is known as the gateway to Calabria in southern Italy and has been declared one of the most beautiful villages in the whole country. It lies on the side of a mountain that has the imperial Castello Svevo at its peak. The village derives its nickname ‘The Tower of Babel’ from its similarity to the 1556 painting by Pieter Bruegel, or to one of the famous works of Escher, who was inspired by Calabrian villages in 1920.
As well as its cultural riches, the area with its microclimate is ideal for growing citrus fruits. Protected by hills to the west, north and south, it enjoys a mild sea breeze from the south-east.
One of the many varieties grown here is the famous Antico or Nostrano di Rocca Imperiale (Rocca Imperiale lemon), which has been given Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP) status. Lemon growing is a dominant part of the local landscape, which as a result is known as the ‘Terre dei Limoni di Rocca Imperiale’.
Antonella Acinapura
Antonella’s orchards are just outside the village of Rocca Imperiale, the first place you arrive at in the southern Italian region called Calabria. She grows organic apricots and lemons on thirteen hectares. As she puts it herself, Antonella was born under a lemon tree.
“I had the good fortune to be born and live here. It’s a virgin spot from the point of view of organic farming, where nature has not yet been ruined by human hands.”
Antonella was involved in the business from the age of seventeen, and she has always followed the example of her grandfather, an old-fashioned farmer who trusted the moon and the weather and used no chemicals at all. She has always been fascinated by that way of farming. Organic agriculture is a faith and a philosophy of life.
Antonella stands on the barricades against the use of artificial fertilizers and other chemicals and refuses to be discouraged by anything or anyone.
‘Because when you choose to be a farmer you need to be brave. You have to be brave, to be resilient and to resist.’
