Understanding Southern Italy’s Traditional Rural Buildings as Heritage Resources

Abstract

This study presents a structured method for integrating rural cultural heritage into established tourism itineraries, with a particular focus on the Sicilian wine routes, known as Strade del vino. The main aim is to position traditional rural buildings as valuable cultural attractions while also widening the scope of rural tourism. Promoting these buildings together with local wine and culinary traditions can support sustainable socio-economic growth, diversify rural economies, and help protect cultural landscapes. The proposed approach applies a detailed heritage evaluation framework to improve public understanding, interpretation, and collective appreciation of rural cultural assets. The study focuses on a traditional rural building with wine cellars and oil mills in the Chiaramonte Gulfi area of Ragusa, highlighting its potential as an accessible architectural heritage site built with local materials and traditional Sicilian construction methods. The analysis also emphasizes the importance of conservation practices that protect the historical identity of the building while meeting restoration principles and legal requirements. By combining social, environmental, and economic considerations, this approach supports a broader sustainability agenda and reinforces the contribution of rural heritage to sustainable tourism development.