Work in progress
We have the Well!
Finally we have the well! Like a beast emerging from the smelly bowels of the earth, it is ready to stick its long and granite beak in search of the precious water, the well-digger
2 July 2025
The Contea Gentile Barn: a creative retreat between work, nature, and conviviality
In the green heart of the Contea Gentile. Every day is an opportunity to build, organize, cultivate, and create. Living in harmony with nature also means actively caring for it, and it is precisely from this need that one of our most special corners was born: the Contea Gentile Barn.
Until recently, we had to rely on external facilities for even small maintenance or construction jobs. But the desire for independence, combined with the desire for a multifunctional space, drove us to develop our own project. Thus, the Barn was born: a simple yet precious space, designed to accommodate and facilitate every type of practical activity.
The Barn It is not only a storage place for straw and hay – essential elements for the life of our rural community – but also a small equipped workshop where we dedicate ourselves to repair, DIY, carpentry, and gardening workIt is the starting point for any project that aims to embellish, improve or expand the Contea.
Whether it's building a new bench for the grove, repairing a wheelbarrow, or planting new plants in the shared garden, the Barn is always the hub of our most practical ideas.
But the Contea Gentile Barn It's much more than that. It's a welcoming and versatile space, capable of transforming into a warm refuge on rainy days or in the colder months. When the weather outside doesn't allow us to be outside, we gather there to play together, share hot meals and spend hours in joy.
Inside, social moments are organised with board games, role-playing games, group readings, and creative workshops for adults and children. It's the perfect place to stop, warm up, and experience the magic of the Contea in all weathers.
The Barn perfectly represents the spirit of Contea Gentile: collaboration, sharing, sustainability and creativity.It's a space where hands and minds meet to create not only useful objects, but also relationships, experiences, and precious memories.
Want to see the Contea Gentile Barn with your own eyes? Come visit us during our events! We'll be waiting for you with open hearts and a cup of hot tea... even in the rain!
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Finally we have the well! Like a beast emerging from the smelly bowels of the earth, it is ready to stick its long and granite beak in search of the precious water, the well-digger
On Thursday 16 January 2025, another piece of land was purchased, adjacent to the one where Contea has stood since 2018, making it approximately 15% larger.
On September 2, 2023, in front of several hundred people, we unveiled the statue dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Professor's death. La Contea Gentile is the result of a mix of
In Contea there are many Hobbit families and you could be part of one of them, each with its own peculiar characteristic!
Baggins: they are a wealthy family of the shire, not snobbish at all, in fact much loved by the rest of the other hobbit families. They have a reputation for being a bit strange and for this reason they are good-naturedly mocked. They love culture, travel and receiving visitors.
Bolgeri: the family in question is among the most well-known not only in the shire but also outside of it as great traders. For their work they travel a lot and know much more than many other Hobbits, what lies beyond the borders of the shire. They are clever, bold but also great bargainers: they could sell pipeweed even to an Ent!
Brandibuck: this is also one of the aristocratic families of the shire, even if their domains extend far outside of it, touching the Old Forest. They are considered bizarre by the other families as they are inclined to adventures and discovery and almost like "foreigners" for their ways. They know the rangers well and have learned many things from them. They are very good friends with the Tooks and never miss an opportunity to gather the families to have fun together in their own way!
Gamgee: they are one of the humblest families in the shire. Hard workers, they love contact with nature, they are serious but not solemn and they are strong, determined but very loyal. Very good friends with the Bagginses, the Tooks and the Brandybucks, they are famous for their love of things that grow.
Sackville-Baggins: they are a wealthy family of the shire, VERY SNOB, and very unloved by the other hobbit families. They have a reputation for being stingy and even a bit thieving, for this reason they are avoided or mocked. They love to "take what is theirs", scold or mock others, pose and show off in front of other families they consider "inferior".
Scavari: not among the most well-known or prominent families of the shire, despite their ancient history. They were the first hobbits to stop living as nomads and to settle in the burrows under the hills, starting one of the most important characteristics of Contea: the construction of the SMIAL, the famous Hobbit Houses.
Serracinta: it is a family not of noble origins but very respected as many of its offspring are dedicated to the activity of guards. They are the only hobbits that you might see armed and are usually found at the entrance of villages, bridges, crossroads, in order to ensure protection and control. They love hunting, outdoor activities and are expert slingers, archers and some even fencers.
Soffiatromba: they are a family of artists, even if of ancient peasant origin. They were the first to bring pipe herb to the shire. The discoverer of this floral marvel was none other than Tobaldo Soffiatromba, called by all Vecchio Tobia. From that moment on, the Hornblower family has been the most loved and lovable of the shire: they don't pick fights with anyone, they are always affable and relaxed and have discovered an innate gift for art and music.
Tronfipiedi: the members of this family are scattered throughout the four Decumans, making it one of the most numerous. They are hard workers, although not very curious about what lies beyond the rivers or the woods or the hills. They mind their own business. And their business is many. They have a predilection for cooking and preparing exquisite delicacies, their cuisine is in great demand at birthdays, parties and anniversaries that practically happen every day!
Tuc: They are the richest and most important family in the shire, but they don't seem to notice. They are crazy, funny, stupid and, in some situations, even magical! They sing, get drunk and go mushroom hunting, they like adventures, and they are famous for suddenly disappearing. They are very good friends with the Brandybuck family.
DEED OF CONTRACT
CONDITIONS OF ENGAGEMENT
In the book and in the film, the most famous halfling in the shire finds himself having to sign a burglar's contract drawn up by the Dwarves with a thousand footnotes and paragraphs. You can find the reproduction of this contract, in English, everywhere, but this one you see was hand-written by one of the loyal "citizens" of our project, in Italian and with references to the Journey that the contea Gentile is undertaking: the Construction and the Birth of a place out of the ordinary!
This document can be filled in with the type of trade or service you can offer for the creation of the contea Gentile!
Handmade paper, custom font, pages cut out and sewn by hand with string and sealed with hot wax.
If you're curious, find out more about the Journey to Middle Earth here!
This document is not necessarily widely or legally recognized by states friend or foe, neighboring or distant, real or imagined. It has recognized and guaranteed validity only within the territories of the contea Gentile.
OFFICIAL COIN
OF LA CONTEA GENTILE
Minted in 2022, it depicts the symbol of the shire on one side, the Acorn. While on the other side the face of the nicest mayor there is, Nicolas Gentile. This coin was created by one of the loyal "citizens" of the county project, to support and grow it.
Attention: obviously this currency has no legal value in Italy or other countries (perhaps only in imaginary ones). This is a gadget/souvenir from La contea Gentile. Certainly more emotionally valuable than other currencies in circulation in the world!
OFFICIAL PASSPORT
OF LA CONTEA GENTILE
Always carry the Official Passport of LA CONTEA GENTILE with you! This is the most excellent identification document: every self-respecting resident of La contea Gentile, presumed or current never leaves home without it! This passport was created by one of the loyal "citizens" of the shire project, in support and growth of it.
Fill it out with the information, characteristics and details that distinguish you: gender, species, class, hair, eyes, build, particular brands and much more!
This document is not necessarily widely or legally recognized by friendly or hostile, neighbours or distant, real or imaginary states. It has recognized and guaranteed validity only within the territories of La Contea Gentile. Please consult the official sources of the various kingdoms, citadels and states before visiting. Special visas and/or official stamps may be required.
