Ancient knowledge: the pezzotti of Valtellina

Have you ever heard of the pezzotti of Valtellina? No, this time we are not dealing with some delicious gastronomic dish, but with a handicraft product characteristic of the area, rooted in a good practice of the past: never throw anything away, because it might come in handy.

And this is precisely how pezzotti, rustic and colorful rugs composed of pieces of cloth warped by hand, on a loom, with traditional flame, rhombus or Greek patterns, were born.

The weaving of pezzotto was probably introduced by the Arabs or by the Umiliati monks who resided in the monastery of Castionetto di Chiuro, and it was once used as a blanket for livestock, to make sacks for buckwheat or to cover hay.

Originally, they were the result of peasant thrift, being made using scraps of fabrics: old linen and cotton clothes, patches and rags from which hemp thread was also made.

Today, however, they are products of the highest quality. The yarns come from the best weaving mills in Biella, Prato and Brianza, and their workmanship is very refined: the old techniques are used, but the results are more elegant.

If you would like to take this souvenir home from your trip to Valtellina, you will be spoiled for choice: striped or triangular flame? Pyramid or fishtail?

So many decorations and colors can be found among the producers in Arigna and Ponte in Valtellina, where the Ethnographic Museum is located. Other traditional centers for pezzotti production are then considered Chiuro, Livigno, Cettina, Sacco, Rasura and especially Morbegno, where Ruffoni Tappetiis located at 4 Rivolta Street.