Have you ever wished you could enter middle earth, experience the adventures of halflings, elves and dwarves? And if I told you that this dream has come true?
For many years, like so many of you, I have done nothing but read and re-read books, watch movies and yearn because I too felt I belonged to that world, to those stories, to that magic.
But… but it was all fake! Those stories, those characters, those places had never really existed! I was wondering: how do I get into a book or a movie? It's impossible! Finally I decided: I would create fantastic places and experience the adventures I wanted!
For now I'm limiting myself to building La contea Gentile, but deep down I noticed that the middle earth is all around us, even here in Italy, with ancient cities, wonderful villages, mountains that rise like pillars and woods with trees like so ancient that you've surely seen mounted warriors brandishing swords and gleaming shields.
And aware of our wonderful Earth I have heard the strong call of an adventure!
Friday 27th August 2021, me and eight other adventurers, disguised as fantasy characters, set off from Bucchianico (CH), right from the little house that now stands in La contea Gentile and we arrived on 2nd September 2021 on Vesuvius to throw the only ring inside!
It was an epic journey, fraught with real dangers and great efforts. Every day we walked at least 30km (therefore approximately 6 hours of walking per day) to be able to reach Vesuvius in time! We slept and ate outside under the sun and the stars, under the clear sky and in the rain. We have found refuge and refreshment with kind friends and people we have just met. And in any case we counted on our own strength to get to our destination and enter the legend!
Think about it: before now it has never really happened that a company of 9 people set off from a small house to get to a real volcano and throw a ring into it! And this ring will represent all the fear and desperation that grip this world today and throwing it away will have a very important meaning: that Courage and Hope can once again be part of our lives and of our World, as extraordinary and beautiful as the middle earth!
We slept in the castle of Roccascalegna (Ch), then in the one of Palena (Ch), on the third night we asked the elves for permission to sleep at the foot of the oldest secular beech forest in Europe, the Bosco di Sant'Antonio in Pescocostanzo.
We crossed the Majella and the Central Apennines, went down to Molise, the mythical land par excellence, and then continued on to splendid Campania. We walked the ancient streets of Pompeii and finally the last tiring climb towards Mount Do… towards the Vesuvius! And there thrown the only ring, which in our case symbolizes the fight against the Fear of Tomorrow.
Having survived this feat, on the evening of 2nd September, the anniversary of the famous writer's death, we all celebrated together at The Sign 2.0 pub in Pomigliano D'Arco!
The main purpose is to promote La contea Gentile project but this trip will also be a way to make people understand how much we are lucky to inhabit such a wonderful Earth, full of fantastic places, permeated with history, nature and beauty.
And especially after a scary summer that has seen and sees thousands of hectares of woods, nature and animals burn, we want to cross our middle earth on foot and in total harmony which, looking closely, is as beautiful and fantastic as the one described in the Fantasy books. And so we will also give this message: let's save the middle earth, the OUR middle earth!
NICOLAS
DAVIDE
STEFANO
RICCARDO
CRISTIAN
SIMONE
GIOVANNI
LEONARDO
FRANCESCO
BE PART OF LA CONTEA GENTILE IN EVERYTHING!
Dresscode.
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 costume rental or sales service, 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:
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.
