When we travelled to Matera in Basilicata, Italy as part of our winter trip to Puglia and Matera, there was one souvenir I knew I wanted to get. A Cuccù.
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The history
These small, hand-made ceramic whistles have a long history in Matera. They go back centuries.
Once considered to have magical powers it was something every home in Matera would have at least one of. Often stored away in a fireplace or placed in the cot of an unbaptised baby to ward off the evil spirits.
Traditionally these whistles were made to look like cockerels and painted with bright colours.
Some have an open top that can be filled with water to create a warbling sound.
Others are the more traditional whistle shape with a hole in the side to change the sound.
Cuccù are for sale all over the town from little stalls to craft shops.
We passed this craft stall that had them for sale and you could see the unfinished whistles behind. Ready to be painted.
Buying Cuccù at Geppettos – What to buy in Matera, Italy
I was determined to track down the little artisan shop, ‘Geppetto‘ {Piazza del Sedile 19 }. Based at the top of the town it is seen by many as selling the most beautiful cuccù.
It was a walk to find it, through the maze of streets in Matera, but definitely worth it.
The owner Marco Brunetti has a long family history in making these beautiful whistles. He has a great variety to choose from including more simple, traditional cuccù through to elaborate ones of different animals and designs.
Our children loved picking out their whistles and wondering if they had magical powers. It’s the perfect souvenir from this area and great for kids.
I loved how Marco wrapped each of them so beautifully.
And then we had a lot of whistling on the drive back to our hotel. It was worth it though – cuccù are a great souvenir from the area and an interesting talking point.
Read our other posts on this region from our winter trip to Matera and Puglia here.
They look so beautiful, bright and colourful, how lovely x
Wow these are amazing!
I would love to visit Matera – these are so cute! x
How awesome do these look?! I love how bright and colourful they are x
They are wonderful – I’d love one of those colourful whistles in my home.
wow so bright, i love fridge magnets, these are the must buy for me at all times in every country
I love the Bright colours of these and hearing a little of their history too!
I love these! I used to have a clay whistle that you added water to when I was little, but it was nowhere near as pretty as these ones!
I love little souvenirs and those look super cute! Wherever I go I have to buy fridge magnet and postcards – this is a must (plus some food photography props)
these are so cute and really look pretty, no wonder your kids liked them so much.
Oh my goodness they are so cute – definitely something I couldn’t walk buy without buying. x
how amazing are these! lovely and bright and something I would buy for sure!
They’re pretty cool – I’m a sucker for picking up nicknacks like this 🙂
They look fabulous, love bringing back souvenirs from our travels
I love the bright colours of the whistles and thought tiles on the wall look amazing.
This is such a cute post! I love souvenir finds like these – the sorts of things that make the memories hit home.
Love, love, love those old school wall tiles!
They’re brilliant aren’t they? Would love to have brought a set of those home!! 😉
What a really lovely memento of a trip .. i love the bright colours 🙂
What a fab souvenir, I have never seen anything like them before. I know my children would love them too.
I love those whistles! they really remind me of family holidays as a child, I think I picked up something similar! love the colours of these ones x