Everything you have wanted since you were a child, here has turned into reality!
La Contea Gentile is a very special place. As soon as you arrive you feel it immediately: a mix of excitement and peace, of potential adventures and friendships hidden around the corner. Thousands of people who have already landed on this earth have said the same thing: "here you can breathe the real Magic."
The project of La Contea Gentile still nearing completion, is the creation of a fantastic village immersed in the unchanged countryside of Abruzzo, already full of stories, legends, good food and fresh air! Here you'll find comfortable homes carved into the hillside, adventurous dwarven caravans, woods where laughter rings, a cool river to dip into in the summer months, and the good old farmland.
Learn more about Nicolas and the Contea Gentile project:
Use the Coin of the shire to purchase treats or participate in games and activities
Terms of Engagement to offer your services to complete Contea Gentile or participate in incredible adventures!
During the events you will be able to purchase the Official Passport
of the Contea Gentile
Follow us on our social channels, participate in our events and support the creation of Contea Gentile because, remember:
La Contea Gentile is located in Bucchianico (Ch) in C.da Porcareccia, immersed in fresh oak groves, bathed by the clear Foro river and surrounded by the scent of cultivated fields.
Since 2018 it has been the main meeting place for those who love a fantastic life combined with a simple and happy vision of existence. Here we don't pretend to experience magic, here we really live it!
Anciently Bucchianico was a real shire. At the beginning of the year 1000 the noble Tresidio, with the help of Aldemaro the Wise, became count of Bucchianico and made this small town a little gem in the heart of rural Abruzzo.
The shire of Bucchianico at the time also became a military power that in Abruzzo was second only to the city of L'Aquila. La Contea Gentile wants to recall those ancestral atmospheres typical of the territory by combining them with the charm of fantasy, both indigenous (here there are countless popular tales dedicated to mysterious people, goblins and monsters of every kind) and borrowed from modern fantasy.
Not yet. Although Contea Gentile is already characteristic now, there is the little house and it is delightful in itself, with the ancient oak tree, the green hill, the woods all around and the little river, we advise against coming now. It may seem ugly, but we want you to see the complete Contea Gentile at 100%, while for now you would only see an incomplete work.
In occasion of the Events of La Contea Gentile it is possible to participate and have fun together with other enthusiasts! We keep the site up to date. All official information and ticket purchases will be available on the dedicated pages
For now, unfortunately, we are not able to host people for overnight stays, not even in tents (except for events). For that we will have to wait a little longer
It all depends on the outcome of the fundraiser
For now, unfortunately, we cannot organize hen/bachelor parties or private parties in general
We will update the website with more details in view of upcoming events. We advise you to follow the profile Instagram and subscribe to the Newsletter to find out the latest news
First House of Contea Gentile
Look at it carefully: it's just a 15m2 shack with a trapezoidal shape with the only advantage of having a round door and windows.
Yet it was the beginning of the magic, the beginning of all hope, of every test overcome to get to where we are now (and we are still far from the complete realization of the project!). It has become iconic even though it bears little or no resemblance to the houses seen in the films.
But I love it.
And I hope you too. I already called this place "shire" when there was only her, when I had to get muddy by climbing on her across the field to reach her.
But do you see? It's like the symbol of Contea Gentile, the acorn. From a small seed can grow an extraordinary shoot. And you are the water and nourishment that are making the shire grow so beautiful!
Round Doors
The 4 round doors in bright colors of Yellow, Orange, Red and Blue, were built starting from a necessity: to make the slopes of Contea Gentile safer! In fact these are not real houses, although the windows, roofs and door handles seem to call you loudly and say: "come on, come in!".
In 2022 we secured some small slopes located in 3 different points of the shire by building small surrounding walls. But walls placed at random in a place that had to be as natural and rural as possible were not beautiful, neither conceptually nor visually.
So I thought of “camouflaging” them as houses dug into the hill to give more color and shape to Contea Gentile and they actually did their job very well: thousands of people every year are enchanted by this type of architecture and, although for now they are fictitious, they already look forward to when they can finally cross the threshold of a real Halfling house and say out loud: “I'm Home!”.
Dwarven Caravan
“What does this have to do with the contea?” some might ask.
Well, this caravan is the result of several thoughts:
1) The contea as we know it is beautiful, fantastic and unique, but I actually wanted this to have a little more personal feel. I wanted something more. I thought of the Dwarves and cutting-edge means of transport for their time and therefore these caravans, ready to cross all of middle earth!
2) It was also a "logical" choice: not all of the contea is buildable due to its proximity to the river. So one day there won't be too many little houses. So I thought, in order to accommodate more people, to create these caravans that don't need building permits to stay in the contea.
3) I imagined a maximum of 3 dwarf caravans: arranged in a radial pattern, with a cauldron in the center, at night, while a nice soup or roast meat is being cooked and all sitting around the fire singing about ancient deeds and extraordinary wonders under the stars of Contea Gentile
Moongate
The contea was born thanks to a dream, one of the real ones of course. One night twenty years ago, I dreamed that I was on a path in the woods and at the end of this path there was a stone wall with a gap, exactly like this one.
At the time I had already read the books, seen the films and already wished I could live in the middle earth. When, in the dream, I crossed this gap, in front of me there were my family and hundreds of people waiting for me with smiles and beyond them, the contea!
Here, this gap is the real entrance to what will be the contea with the actual houses. But it also symbolizes something else: that if you dream hard, very hard, in the end dreams come true!
For this reason, as you cross this portal, make a Wish, whatever it may be. And once on the other side you must be convinced, or rather 100% convinced that this dream has come true or is about to come true.
Ents Avenue
Now it might seem like a small thing, but the trees planted a few weeks ago, the magnificent maples, will one day provide shade, coolness and shelter along this avenue onto which the halflings' houses will overlook.
We called it "Viale degli Ent" in honor of those wonderful creatures, daughters and protectors of the forest that we would like to exist in this world too.
In a few years, if you have the pleasure of returning to Contea Gentile, perhaps with a few more white hairs and adventures in your pocket, you will see the difference and the beauty that “simple” trees can give to a place.
Professor's Bust
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 mixture of countless tales and fantastic stories, but his works have had a great impact and an undoubted importance in the creative development of this place.
50 years after his passing, it was right to pay homage to him with a memory that everyone, coming to the shire, could admire: the bronze bust of the writer towering on a Majella stone column sculpted with leaves and flowers, symbols of a paradisiacal place in the land of half.
The bust was sculpted by the Anglo-Saxon artist Steve Paterson while the column was turned and sculpted by Antonello Palmerio, a sculptor from Pretoro (Ch), a few kilometers from the Contea Gentile, thus uniting England and Abruzzo. During the inauguration, elven songs were sung in his honor with harps, violins and flutes and it was one of the most emotional moments that the Contea Gentile has ever experienced, and will always remain engraved in our hearts.
When you walk along the gentle paths of Contea Gentile, stop for a moment in front of this statue and thank with your heart a man who gave us a wonderful world.
Events
Over the years we have held many events. This year we plan to organize others: cultural, thematic and fantastic parties and initiatives! Exhibitions, shows, food, markets, cultural meetings, dwarven blacksmiths, artisans, artists and much more!
Our events with fantastic themes are known all over the world and people come from all over the world who can finally feel at home!
Do you feel like a warrior armed with sword and courage? You will be welcome here!
Do you feel close to the nature and wonder, typical of the elves? Here you will find what you are looking for!
Are you in the mood for adventures and fun evening feasts? We have just the thing for you here!
Are you looking for a place to feel at home and enjoy the peace you deserve? Here you are in the right place!
Journey in Middle Earth
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?
Aware of our wonderful Earth, I felt the strong call of an adventure!
On Friday 27 August 2021, eight other adventurers and I, dressed up as fantasy characters, set off from Bucchianico (CH), right from the little House which now stands in Contea Gentile and we arrived on September 2, 2021 on the Vesuvius to throw the only ring inside!
One person alone can't build all this, many together Yes!
Whoever donates will be mentioned in the "Libro Mastro of La contea Gentile" where the salient facts of its creation and the names of those who made it so will be reported.
©2025 - Cultural Association "La Contea Gentile" - Bucchianico (Ch), c.da Porcareccia snc - CF 93067690698
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!
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 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.
Supplier contact information
Name: Printful
Email address: [email protected]
Order Fulfillment Centers
European Centers
Glossy white cup
This product is designed for adults. Dishwasher and microwave safe. Meets lead and cadmium levels. 2 year guarantee in EEA and UK as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
Stainless steel water bottle
This product is designed for adults. Keeping water in the bottle for more than 24 hours is unhygienic and may cause an unpleasant odor. Hand wash only. Meets the requirements for lead, cadmium, heavy metals, aromatic amines and BPA levels. 2-year guarantee in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom, established by Directive 1999/44/EC.
Shopping bag with all-over print
This product is designed for adults. Meets lead and cadmium level requirements. 2 year guarantee in EEA and UK, set by Directive 1999/44/EC.
Eco-friendly shopping bag
This product is designed for adults. Care instructions on peel-off label may be removed after cleaning. Meets AZO dye and formaldehyde levels. 2-year warranty in the EEA and UK as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
Winter hat with cuff
This product is designed for adults. Meets lead, cadmium, phthalates and bisphenol levels. 2 year guarantee in EEA and UK as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
Hat with visor
This product is designed for adults. Meets lead, bisphenols and phthalates levels. 2 year guarantee in EEA and UK as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
Sublimated Sherpa Blanket
This product is designed for adults. Meets AZO dyes, formaldehyde, BPA, flammability, lead and phthalate levels. 2 year guarantee in EEA and UK as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
Winter sweatshirt with and without hood
This product is designed for adults. Meets formaldehyde, flammability, lead, cadmium and phthalate levels. 2 year guarantee in EEA and UK as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
Organic Cotton Apron
This product is designed for adults. Meets EU REACH requirements. 2 year guarantee in EEA and UK as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
Pole
This product is designed for adults. Meets EU REACH requirements. 2 year guarantee in EEA and UK as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
Posters
This product is designed for adults. Meets magnetic flux index and small parts level requirements. 2 year warranty in EEA and UK, as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
T-shirt
This product is designed for adults. Meets requirements for flammability, lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde levels. 2 year guarantee in EEA and UK as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
Patches
This product is designed for adults. Meets lead level requirements. 2 year EEA and UK guarantee as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
Pins
This product is designed for adults. Meets the requirements for flammability, lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, phthalates, organotin, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, small parts, sharp edges and sharp tip level. 2 year guarantee in the EEA and UK, set by Directive 1999/44/EC.
For further information, contact:
La Contea Gentile,
C.DA Porcareccia, SNC
66011 – Bucchianico (CH)
[email protected]
Calendar
This product is designed for adults. 2 year warranty in EEA and UK, as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
Passport
This product is designed for adults. 2 year warranty in EEA and UK, as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
Currency
This product is designed for adults. 2 year warranty in EEA and UK, as per Directive 1999/44/EC.
These policies apply to all products on our online store except free shipping products, event tickets and travel tickets.
When will I receive my order?
Normally, it takes 3-7 business days to process an order, after which we ship it. Delivery times depend on your location and here is an estimate:
Where will my order be shipped from?
We work with an on-demand order fulfillment company with facilities all over the world.
Will I have to pay customs duties?
A customs fee may apply to international orders. However, taxes are not under our control and vary from country to country, so please check with your local customs office to see if they charge any duties or taxes.
My order should have arrived, but it is late. What should I do? Before contacting us, please check the following:
If the address was correct and the courier did not leave the package at a post office or a neighbor, write to us at [email protected] indicating the order number. If you have found an error in the delivery address we can send you a replacement order, but it will be at your expense.
How are the products made? We work with a print on demand dropshipper. They have locations all over the world, so depending on your shipping address, your orders are printed and shipped from the facility that can handle them most efficiently and quickly.
How can I track my package?
You will receive a tracking link for your package when your order is shipped.
I received a defective/damaged product, what should I do?
We are truly sorry if the product you ordered arrived damaged. To help us resolve the issue quickly, please write to us at [email protected] within 2 weeks with photos of the product, your order number and any other details that may be useful to us. We will respond as soon as possible to find a solution!
Our return policies
We do not offer returns or exchanges, but if there is something wrong with your order please let us know by contacting us at [email protected].
Do you offer refunds?
We only offer refunds for defective or damaged items. If you have received a defective or damaged product please contact us at [email protected] with photos.
Can I exchange an item for a different size/color?
We do not currently offer this option. If you are unsure about your size, please check our size guide, we have one for each item in the product description section.
Return Policy
Any claims for misprinted/damaged/defective items must be made within 30 days of receiving the product. For packages lost in transit, all claims must be made no later than 30 days from the estimated delivery date.
We do not accept returns of sealed products, such as masks, which are not suitable for return due to health or hygiene reasons. You agree that all orders returned with masks will not be available for reshipment and will be disposed of.
Notice for EU consumers: pursuant to Article 16(c) and (e) of Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on consumer rights, the right of withdrawal cannot be foreseen for:
1. the supply of goods made to the consumer's specifications or clearly personalized; 2. sealed goods which have been opened after delivery and are therefore not suitable for return for health protection or hygiene reasons, whereupon we reserve the right to refuse returns at its sole discretion.
Last update:
07.10.2024
