Save the Stone Roofs of Zonca – Help Restore Alpine Heritage

Hi, my name is Daniel, and together with my life/love partner Satya we are the proud (and slightly overwhelmed!) guardians of four small stone cottages in Zonca, a near-abandoned mountain village perched at 1,200 meters in the Valle Antrona, in Italy’s majestic Alps.

These cottages are over 200 years old—built by hand with local stone, chestnut beams, and most importantly, traditional stone roofs. These iconic roofs, made of overlapping piode (stone tiles), are not only a beautiful expression of mountain craftsmanship—they are an essential part of the region’s cultural and architectural identity.

But today, they’re in danger of collapsing. The climate has changed —whereas the roofs of Zonca were constructed to withstand weeks of rain, today weeks of rain can fall in a matter of hours!

Why I Need Your Help

Over the past few years, we have been slowly restoring these homes with my our own hands and limited funds, determined to bring life back to Zonca. We have stabilised walls, cleared decades of debris, and begun to breathe life into these places that were once full of families, stories, and mountain life.

But now, we have run out of money—and we have reached the most urgent and expensive phase: rebuilding the stone roofs.

If we don’t act soon, the cottages will be lost for good. And with them, a piece of Alpine history will vanish.

That’s why we are asking for your help to raise €30,000 to restore these roofs, stone by stone.

What the Funds Will Cover

Your donation will directly fund:

This isn’t just a renovation—it's a rescue mission for Alpine heritage.

Why It Matters

Zonca is part of a grassroots effort to revive abandoned Alpine settlements using sustainable practices and respect for tradition. Restoring these cottages means:

How You Can Help

Donate – every euro brings us closer to saving these homes.

Share – spread the word on social media, in your community, or to anyone who loves nature, Italy, or architecture.

Sponsor a Stone! – For donations over €150, I’ll place your name on a commemorative plaque around or inside one of the houses.

If we reach our goal, I hope to welcome visitors and supporters one day—offering a window into Alpine life as it once was, and could be again. That visitor could well be you! Have a look below!

Thank You!

This campaign isn’t about luxury—it’s about love, landscape, and legacy. I’m deeply grateful for every contribution, every share, and every kind word. With your help, we can bring these cottages—and Zonca—back to life. Thank you for being part of this journey!

Budget Breakdown – €30,000 Goal

We are raising €30,000 to restore the traditional stone roofs of three Alpine cottages in Zonca Ecovillage, located in the Italian Alps. The restoration will be carried out in three stages between autumn 2025 and autumn 2026.

Here’s exactly where your donations will go:

Roof Restoration Costs

Roof Area:

3 roofs × 36 m² each = 108 m² total

Cost per square meter (includes wood + labor):

€250/m² × 108 m² = €27,000

This cost includes:

Note: The increased rainfall due to climate change has rotted the horizontal beams. These will all be replaced with rot-resistant larch, just like the originals.

Staging the Work

The restoration is planned in three carefully phased stages:

Stage 1 – Autumn 2025

Stage 2 – Spring 2026

Stage 3 – Autumn 2026

Other Costs

Any additional funds raised beyond €30,000 will go toward:

What We Offer Donors

We are deeply grateful for every single contribution—no matter the size. This project is built on community spirit, shared values, and the belief that restoring a place can restore a way of living in harmony with nature. To show our appreciation, we offer the following:

For Donors Giving €500 or More

As a heartfelt thank-you, we invite you to stay with us! Enjoy a 10-day free stay in one of the beautifully restored stone cottages, once the roofing and interior work are complete. Come to experience Zonca, hike the mountain trails, breathe the fresh Alpine air, and see firsthand the place you helped save. Valid from Spring 2027 onward (depending on final construction schedules). You’ll be personally contacted to coordinate your visit!

️ Volunteer With Us

Want to get your hands dirty and be part of the process?

We welcome volunteers who want to:

This is a wonderful way to learn practical skills, live off-grid for a while, and contribute directly to the rebirth of Zonca.

We provide shared accommodation and meals for volunteers, and we aim to create an experience of shared learning, work, and joy.

️ Support by Staying

One of our cottages—Casa in Mezzo—is currently running as a charming B&B. By staying with us as a guest, you directly support the restoration of the remaining houses. All income from bookings goes straight into the materials and artisan salaries for this project.

Whether you contribute financially, volunteer your time, or simply share this campaign—you are part of the story of saving Zonca.

Thank you, from the mountains,

Daniel & Satya