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 in the end I've 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 so ancient that they have surely seen warriors on horseback brandishing swords and shining shields.
And aware of our wonderful Earth I have heard the strong call of an adventure!
NICOLAS
DAVID
STEPHEN
RICHARD
CHRISTIAN
SIMON
JOHN
LEONARDO
FRANCESCO
Friday 27th August 2021, I and eight other adventurers, dressed up as fantasy characters, left from Bucchianico (CH), right from the small 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 aim is to promote the 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!
From 2025 it will be possible to leave for the Journey to Middle Earth, as we did in 2021, from the Contea Gentile to Vesuvius, passing through wonderful places that will be equipped for your epic Camino!
©2025 - Cultural Association "La Contea Gentile" - Bucchianico (Ch), c.da Porcareccia snc - CF 93067690698
In the shire there are many Hobbit families and you could be part of one of them, each with its own peculiar characteristic. Are you more of a type homely? Are you among those who love the things that grow? Are you someone who likes the adventures?
And what family do you belong to?!?
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.
