Mattone di Bressana Bottarone: the sweet symbol of a local identity

The Mattone di Bressana Bottarone is a traditional dessert deeply tied to the history of Bressana Bottarone, a town in the province of Pavia. This sweet treat was created as a symbol of local identity, recalling the town’s long-standing tradition of brick production, which for decades was the backbone of its economy.

Today, the Mattone di Bressana has been awarded the De.Co. (Denominazione Comunale) certification , which recognizes its connection to the territory and guarantees its authenticity. Discover its history and why it is so important to the local community.

In the period following World War II, Italy experienced an intense phase of reconstruction, with a massive demand for building materials. Thanks to its rich clay deposits, Bressana Bottarone became a key center for the production of bricks and other clay products.

Brickworks, including the historic Fornace Palli, played a fundamental role in the local economy, providing employment to many residents. The industry’s growth led to a transformation of the landscape, with large areas dedicated to clay extraction and brick production.

Amid this period of strong economic development, the community of Bressana Bottarone found a unique way to celebrate its identity and connection to the brickmaking industry: the Mattone di Bressana Bottarone was born.

This dessert is directly inspired by the shape of the bricks produced in local kilns, eventually becoming a true symbol of the town. Its creation represents not only a tribute to the local industrial tradition but also the community’s ability to transform an element of daily work into a cultural and gastronomic icon.

The Mattone di Bressana Bottarone has been granted the De.Co. (Denominazione Comunale) certification , which attests to its origins and historical connection to the town. This designation ensures that the tradition is preserved and passed down to future generations, protecting the dessert’s identity and historical value.

Thanks to this certification, the Mattone di Bressana continues to be an authentic symbol of local culture, bridging the past and present in a single tradition.

The Mattone di Bressana Bottarone is more than just a dessert—it is a piece of history from a region that has successfully transformed its industrial heritage into a gastronomic icon. Its strong connection to the brick industry and the Bressana Bottarone community makes it a perfect example of how local culture can be celebrated through traditional pastry-making.