FRATELLI STEFANI LATERIZI D'ARTE

About 2500 years ago, philosopher Empedocles from Agrigento affirmed that the universe is created from four elements: earth, water, wind, and fire. Probably these elements are not the foundation of the universe, but certainly, they are the foundation of our earthenware tiles and bricks. We are Stefano and Petronio Stefani, company owners since the end of the ’70s and successors of a family tradition that goes back to the sixteenth century. Since then, we have been producing handmade tiles and bricks using a mixture of rainwater and clay from our mine; no other material is added. The molding is entirely hand-made, inserting and pressing the wet clay into wooden plates. The following procedures, which are key to creating an excellent product, are also handmade, following an ancient technique that dates back to the Etruscans. The firing process in a centuries-old wood kiln takes several days. In this way, the tiles and bricks obtained are aesthetically exquisite and everlasting, and can be fully considered organic products, suitable for green building. Moreover, they are excellent natural acoustic and thermal insulation materials. In our 40 years of experience, we have not only participated in the restoration of old rural houses and historic town centers or manufactured high-quality residential buildings, but our cotto has also had the privilege of contributing to the restoration of many monuments of worldwide importance.