The symbol of Civita di Bagnoregio
The little donkey
In the not-so-distant past, they were essential for running the small rural economy of vegetable gardens, olive trees, vineyards, and small farms.
Donkeys played a familiar role, as evidenced by the names chosen for them, people's names like "La Peppa" or "La Rufina."
On the feast day, the first Sunday in June and the second Sunday in September, dedicated respectively to the Madonna Liberatrice and the Holy Crucifix, our palio, "La Tonna," a traditional race held in Piazza San Donato in Civita di Bagnoregio, was run—and is still run today.
Before the bridge was built, the donkey was the only means of reaching Civita from the valley below, transporting food and essential goods and making daily life in the village possible.
Today, this story continues, preserved in memories and traditions, and comes to life in our creations.
the connection to the land
The little lamb
They have always been silent but essential presences in our land, accompanying rural life among pastures, hills, and valleys.
Flocks marked the rhythm of the days, guided by the care of shepherds, and offered precious resources: wool, used to warm homes and people, and milk, from which authentic-tasting cheeses, like pecorino, are made.
Among the badlands and the paths surrounding Civita, the presence of flocks is still a living sign of this tradition today.
In Bagnoregio, there are those who have chosen to continue this path: young people and families who have made sheep their livelihood, giving life to small businesses such as dairies and farms, carrying on an ancient tradition and making it part of the present.
In 2025, we celebrate thirty years of twinning with Esterzili, a town in Sardinia. Over time, some families who arrived from there have also settled in Bagnoregio, bringing with them their traditions related to shepherding.
From this story comes a small symbol of simplicity and continuity, which carries with it the warmth of these places and the value of its roots.
the tradition with clay
Il Coccio di Civita
The "coccio di Civita" (Civita pot) was born from an idea that took shape thanks to the expert hands of one of the last local potters, who still work clay today following an ancient tradition.
Linked to the daily life of Civita di Bagnoregio, it was used in homes for generations to cook over fire.
For centuries, the clay from the badlands, particularly the refractory type, fueled the work of the "cocciari" (potters), artisans who made simple and useful everyday objects in the valley's kilns.
Today, this object is re-proposed as a symbol of that tradition, preserving the authentic charm of knowledge passed down through time.
Every creation starts with a story.
And every story continues in your homes.