“Snow pits” and “snow ways” are interesting historical features found in many mountainous regions, including the Aurunci Mountains. These sites are linked to the collection and storage of snow, a historic activity carried out in many mountain areas before the advent of modern refrigeration technologies.
Snow pits are historic structures used to store snow during the winter for later use during the warmer months of the year. These are underground constructions, made of dry stone, which allowed the snow to be preserved for several weeks or even months. The snow was compressed into the pits by layering it with layers of insulation such as straw, leaves or twigs, thus allowing its preservation until the summer season. This preserved snow was mainly used for cooling purposes or in the ice-making process.
The snow routes of the Aurunci Mountains were ancient routes used to transport snow collected in snow pits towards the coast, in particular to Gaeta, where it was sold mainly to merchant ships for cooling food or drinks during the warmer months.
The history of snow pits and snow routes represents a fascinating aspect of past life and traditions linked to the use of snow as a precious resource. Exploring these structures and historical routes can offer an interesting window into the past and daily life of local communities who lived in mountainous areas such as the Aurunci Mountains.