Solofra’s Finest Full-Grain Vegetable Tanned Sheepskin Leather
When we talk about the Solofra tanning hub, we’re referring to one of the most iconic and specialized districts in Italy’s luxury supply chain. A production center rooted in the ancient history of Southern Italy, Solofra continues to stand as a key reference point for the entire leather goods industry, both nationally and internationally. This small town in the Campania region, with around 12,000 inhabitants in the province of Avellino, is one of the main leather processing centers in Italy. It hosts a remarkably high concentration of companies, all specialized in a craft that draws on a centuries-old tradition. Solofra has historically been known for the tanning of sheepskin and goatskin. Although the district stretches beyond the town’s borders, the beating heart remains in Solofra, where approximately 85% of the local tanning businesses are based.
Leather tanning was born in Solofra thanks to its strategic geographical position, its ancient pastoral traditions, and—no less important—the local availability of plants rich in tannins (such as chestnut, walnut, and Turkey oak), rocks for lime production, and abundant water sources. Passed down from generation to generation, tanning was originally carried out using rudimentary methods, in open-air stone vats called “cantari”, carved into the ground and typically located in courtyards or near streams.
Today, the Solofra tanning district is home to around 200 active tanneries. The number rises to approximately 400 when including subcontractors, workshops, and suppliers of intermediate processing. It is one of Italy’s leading leather production hubs and the largest industrial area in Southern Italy dedicated to fashion and luxury. This district serves as a key reference point for major fashion brands, which recognize Solofra’s manufacturing tradition as a strategic heritage worth promoting and preserving.
