People of the Shire, young and old, from the farthest farms and villages, prick up your ears! The barrels have been set rolling, the kitchens already smell delicious, and the big tent has been raised. The moment has come: we gather among lanterns, music, and sparks to celebrate the one hundred and eleventh birthday of the most illustrious, eccentric and extraordinarily long-lived among us… the good Bilbo Baggins!
Very Last Spots!
SOLD OUT!
QUASI ESAURITO!
SOLD OUT!
Let no one dare show up late. Let no one leave before dessert. And let no one, for any reason whatsoever, touch the Sorcerer's fireworks! The party will be held with the the same methods all six days:
Pre-dinner activities at 3 pm
You are officially invited to Bilbo's 111th Birthday! Cross the borders of the Contea, find out which one Hobbit Family you belong - because in Contea no one celebrates alone - and collect your Mathom, the gift the birthday boy or girl has thought of for you. Yes, you read that right: it's his birthday, but he's the one giving the gifts! Then join your family, shake hands new friendships and get ready for surprises, activities and a few unexpected events – all strictly in anticipation of the Great Banquet!
Everyone to the table at 7pm
The heads of the family will lead you to the tables set in Your Honor. Take a seat, tighten your belts if necessary and prepare yourselves for what many are already whispering will be the most sumptuous banquet the Contea has ever seen. The evening will be a continuous chase of toasts, laughter and glasses Lifted to the sky, where the joy of being together matters more than anything else. And if you get thirsty between dances, the inn will always be open. Leave your worries at home, enjoy the fun, and let yourself be swept away by the spirit of Contea!
All day until evening!
Before, during and after the birthday banquet, the spokespersons of your Hobbit Families will be at your side to guide you into the heart of the Contea Gentile celebrations! During the banquet, the atmosphere will heat up with challenges of all kinds: you'll test yourselves to win exclusive delicacies and entire jugs of beer. Then, amid the warm light of the lanterns and the rhythm of flutes and violins, everyone will gather to dance and celebrate. Meanwhile, Gandalf will already be at work with his legendary fireworks and, to end the evening, we will all gather around the fire to listen to the songs that tell of the deeds of the ancient Heroes of Middle-earth.
Important notes and golden rules to avoid making your hosts impatient!
Only people well dressed as halflings will be admitted. Info and suggestions
Give or treat yourself to a paper invitation sent by the Mayor of the Shire! Limited availability! Find out more
Don't miss all the pre-dinner activities at 15:00 and subsequently the Great Banquet of 19:00
70€Entrance, Dinner and Entertainment
from the Mayor's pen14€
starting from €10per tent per night
The entire event will be held at
La Contea Gentile | Bucchianico
It will be possible to park cars and campers in the vicinity of the shire.
We can suggest these alternatives:
In the vicinity of Contea Gentile. Here are some results on Booking.com
The nights are cold here, but you can buy a Tent PitchInfo and Regulations
They can park along the road with other cars, but not in the tent area
Tickets are sold exclusively online (not on site).
Only if the payment will be successfully completed, you will receive an email with the order summary and tickets in subsequent emails (please also check your folder spam).
The closing sales it will be August 23, 2026.
The refunds will only be made if requested no later than August 16, 2026. A €5 handling fee per ticket will be applied to refunds (refunds will therefore always be partial).
Buy tickets for your group using the same email, so you can be assigned to the same family table (even if you place separate orders).
The Hobbit Families They will be assigned at the sole discretion of the Contea Gentile staff close to the event and changes cannot be made.
This is an event suitable for everyone.
Given the type of experience, no reduced rate for children and adolescents.
The children (0 to 4 years old inclusive) enter free when accompanied by an adult. They must be registered just before completing the purchase.
In case of bad weather The event is guaranteed: it can rain even in Contea, but the water won't stop us!
Can be canceled (with possible refund) or postponed in case of critical weather alert or if the minimum number of participants is not reached.
We do not currently offer a service rental of curtains.
The organization reserves the right to vary the event program where necessary.
For dinners Classic or vegan options are available (to be chosen just before completing the purchase of tickets).
In Contea there will also be a food kiosk which will sell drinks and pre-dinner snacks.
It will not be possible to ensure a totally gluten-free kitchen (or other types of intolerances and allergies).
It is not permitted to introduce food and drinks from outside for health and safety reasons.
The organization reserves the right to vary the event menu where necessary.
La Contea Gentile is not a campsite. However, we offer overnight stays only during events. Please read the information and rules carefully.
The use of fire is absolutely prohibited.: whether they are fireplaces, stoves, torches or anything else.
We do not currently offer a service rental of curtains.
We allow dogs on a leash, but the organization declines all responsibility for damage to third parties.
If you have another type of animal you would like to bring to Contea, please contact us via the module. We will evaluate each case individually.
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.
BellacioccaIn the golden years of Contea, the Hobbits, oblivious to the dangers of the rest of Middle-earth, learned to appreciate the Beauty of life. Those who could afford it wore finer clothes (often to make their neighbors jealous), styled themselves for their Sunday stroll, or adorned themselves with tinsel and mathom. Not all hobbits are farmers who get dirty with mud! They would like the other halflings to be more careful about their appearance, too, which is why their imperative is "Let's beautify Contea and everyone in it!" Some people have class. And the Bellacioccas have it in spades!
Boffin: Contea isn't very large. You could send a piece of news to the farthest Decumanus from yours, and by word of mouth it would arrive in half a day! Yet some Hobbits' love for invitations, letters, packages, and mathom is so great that they prefer to use an efficient postal service to deliver love letters, complaints, or contracts without moving an inch from their Smial. Boffins take care of this. But beware! Delivering letters can be a very dangerous business; you never know where you might end up, and darkness can overtake you even on the edge of the Old Forest! So you'll need to be brave, combative, and capable of finding the lost path. Are you daring enough to be a Boffin?
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.
Great Dinner Menu
Dress code
To be part of La Contea Gentile in every way!
At some events we ask everyone to come dressed in fantasy clothing. This is to be able to immerse yourself even better in the atmosphere of the party!
For this event the halfling costume is mandatory!
We do not currently offer a service rental clothes, but putting together a real shire resident costume is very simple.
For men: shirt (perhaps white), shorts or trousers rolled up at knee height, comfortable shoes or sandals.
For women: long dress or skirt, corset, comfortable shoes or sandals.
From here you can give vent to your imagination with bracescrowns, pointed ears, cloaks, big feet, waistcoats, pipes, walking sticks...
Here are some examples and ideas:
A Treasure to Guard
For a Legendary Event You need an invitation that's worthy of it. This year, in addition to the classic basic digital ticket (which you'll normally receive via email), you have the option of converting your entry pass into a a true piece of history of the Contea Gentile.
The invitation is printed on a refined, antique-style, parchment-effect cardstock, rough to the touch and meticulously detailed. It features the elegant original handwriting of the Mayor of Contea, designed for catapult you into the party atmosphere from the first glance.
No downloads or notifications on your phone. The invitation will travel across the realms to arrive. directly to your mailbox. It will be sealed and stamped like a true old-fashioned letter, ready to be unwrapped with the same excitement as a Hobbit receiving a call from Bag End.
Once the party is over, this card doesn't end up in the trash. It's a real collector's item, perfect for framing, displaying on a noticeboard or keeping in your treasure chest of Middle-earth memories.
🎁 How to get it?
Free for the first 20: The Mayor has decided to reward the fastest Hobbits. The first 20 to purchase an entry ticket online will receive this paper invitation at home. completely free of charge.
Available as Extra: If you're not among the first twenty, don't worry. When purchasing your ticket online, you can choose to add the Mayor's Invitation as an extra option to have it delivered to your home.
❗ The paper invitation letter alone does not grant entry to Contea. To attend A Long-Awaited Party, you must purchase a ticket online.
We remind you that La Contea Gentile is not structured as a campsite: we will not be able to provide services such as electricity, running water, etc. However, chemical toilets and (where possible) showers will be made available.
You can camp in Contea Gentile only during events.
Use of fire: whether they are fireplaces, stoves, torches or anything else, it is absolutely forbidden.
It is not foreseen rental of tents by Contea.
The camper You can park near Contea, along the road with other cars. It's not inside the camping area. You don't need to buy a Tent Pitch Ticket.
It is important to respect some rules municipalities that guarantee harmonious coexistence between guests and respect for the environment.
1. Reservation
2. Schedule and registration
3. Use of spaces
4. Waste
5. Security
6. Respect for other guests
7. Ecology
8. Departure
By following these rules, your camping experience will be enjoyable for you and all other guests. 
Lunch Menu
Car, motorbike, taxi… simply set on the navigator La Contea Gentile. We are in Contrada Porcareccia, Bucchianico, 66011, Italy.
42.27303533916215, 14.192081189779472
Airplane: the closest airport is the Abruzzo International Airport of Pescara (PSR).
Train: the closest train station is Chieti Scalo. From here you will need to take two buses to get to la Contea.
Bus: from Chieti Scalo train station you will need a bus to the bus terminal in Chieti (alta). From this terminal, take the bus that goes to Guardiagrele with direction Bucchianico. Here are the departure times from Chieti (updated to March 2025):
6.40am • 11.15am • 12.20pm • 1.45pm • 2.10pm • 5.20pm • 7.20pm
The bus passes around La Contea Gentile and stops further ahead, in front of the Bar Café Noir. From here it is a 10 minute walk to the shire.
Attention! The possibility of delays and changes in public transport routes should not be underestimated. You risk missing the event. We recommend arriving in La Contea Gentile with your own vehicle, a rental one or at the very least a taxi if possible.
Dress code
To be part of La Contea Gentile in every way!
At some events we ask everyone to come dressed in fantasy clothing. This is to be able to immerse yourself even better in the atmosphere of the party!
For this event, a fantasy costume is not mandatory, but highly recommended.
You can come dressed as elves, dwarves, knights, rangers, sorcerers, princesses, orcs, dragons, dark lords, warriors, adventurers, halflings/women…
We do not currently offer a service rental clothes, but putting together a real shire resident costume is very simple.
For men: shirt (perhaps white), shorts or trousers rolled up at knee height, comfortable shoes or sandals.
For women: long dress or skirt, corset, comfortable shoes or sandals.
From here you can give vent to your imagination with bracescrowns, pointed ears, cloaks, big feet, waistcoats, pipes, walking sticks...
Here are some examples and ideas drawn from all the peoples of Middle-earth:
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.
