La Bottega del Bigonaio

April 2006

Until a few decades ago, a common occupation for a resident of Moggiona was that of the bigonaio, a craftsman who constructed various types of containers in wood, mainly for the transport of grapes and the conservation of wine: bins (bigoni), barrels, tubs (mastelli), etc.

In order to preserve the memory of this traditional trade, Pro Loco Moggiona, in collaboration with the craftsmen of the village, has set up the Bottega del Bigonaio, a small exhibition in which instruments, tools and examples of local production are on display, together with documents of interest.

The Bottega is in the historical centre of the village, close to Casa Teresina, in an area that in the past accommodated numerous workshops. In fact there was once a workshop in the very spot on which the Bottega has now been set up.

The Bottega is not only an exhibition, but also a functioning and accurate reproduction of a craftsman’s workplace. Upon request, it is possible to view a demonstration of the trade from one of the craftsmen still present in the village.