Until 25 years ago, the “Gubana” was exclusively home-made. Mr. Laurencig, the old baker of Savogna, in an interview reported that: “For the record, our firm produced only bread until 1970 . “Gubane” were only made on special occasions and by request of the families”(6).
But in 1960 the bakery of Tiglio (Pulfero) had already started to produce and sell “Gubane”, although intermittently. Such activity was carried on in Loch, Scrutto, Clodig. On June 29th, 1965, for the Feast of San Pietro and San Paolo, the patron saints, in San Pietro al Natisone the 1st “Gubana” Contest was held. In this way, the “Gubana” got out of the home context, where it was made and consumed, and began to reach a wider and wider public, in Italy and abroad, thanks to an handicraft production. In 1973, the “Consorzio per la tutela della Gubana delle Valli del Natisone” (Consortium for the safeguard of the “Gubana” of the Natisone Valleys) was established, with the participation of most of the producers having premises in the following municipalities: San Pietro al Natisone, Pulfero, San Leonardo, Savogna, Grimacco, Drenchia and Stregna. Later on, with the establishment of other producers in the area of Cividale too, a second consortium was founded, in 1983, named “Consorzio zona d’origine della Gubana tipica di Cividale – Valli del Natisone” (Consortium of the area of origin of the typical “Gubana” of Cividale – Natisone Valleys). In order to support the enhancement and the social and economical development of the Natisone Valleys, of which the “Gubana” has traditionally been one of the most genuine cultural expressions, in 1990 the two bodies were united, giving birth to the “Consorzio per la tutela del marchio Gubana” (Consortium for the protection of the “Gubana” mark), whose aim is, among others, to obtain the denomination of origin of the “Gubana”. Indeed the “Gubana”, apart from an unquestionable historical and cultural fact, also represents an important item in the economy of the Valleys, and it can become the means to make up for the demographics impoverishment still going on today, also because of the unfortunate geographical position. The Natisone Valleys feature a largely mountainous landscape, with not too high peaks and only a few high-altitude plateaus suitable for summer pasture. The climate is temperate with high precipitation, which could foster the cultivation of the specific fruits needed for the “Gubana”. Agricolture is split in small plots of land, and tourism needs to be developed.
Because of the local orography, all industrial initiatives were established out of the Valleys, forcing the population (as of today it has decreased to 8,000 inhabitants only) to become commuters, and, after a while to depart for good. For this reason, too, the safeguard of the few authentically local initiatives is demanded, and among these the confectionery firms, whose specialty is of course the “Gubana”. A competition by industrial producers located out of the territory, taking advantage of the renown the “Gubana” has acquired by now, would be very harmful both for the culture and for the economy of the Valleys. A clear definition of the limits of the typical production area, that is the depositary of the traditional values of a common cultural background, is therefore opportune. Such area includes the municipalities of DRENCHIA, GRIMACCO, PULFERO, SAN LEONARDO, SAN PIETRO AL NATISONE, SAVOGNA, STREGNA, TORREANO (but only for the area bound to the North by the road Faedis-Masarolis-Canalutto and to the East by the track linking Costa with the road from Spignon to Cividale), CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI (but only for the area bound to the North by the track from the Castle of Cividale to the military road to Spignon and by the road from the Castle to the railroad station of Cividale along the highway n. 54, and to the West by the Natisone river to the bridge of San Quirino), PREPOTTO (but only for the area bound to the North-East by the road to Podresca and Oborza from the Jainich junction), and the town of CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI (but only for the area bound to the North by the Viale Duca degli Abruzzi, Via Fiore dei Liberi and up to the Natisone river, and to the West by the Natisone river to the bridge of San Quirino).