L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 www.italoamericano.org 18 L'Italo-Americano I t is impossible to resist the allure of a name as you walk along the old streets of Pacentro. The village in t h e h e a r t o f M a j e l l a National Park, a wild corner of Abruzzo exuberant with narcis- si, lilies, dog roses and ballerina orchids, is the ancestral family home of superstar Madonna. " P o p m u s i c s e n s a t i o n Madonna Louise Ciccone is a d a u g h t e r o f o u r f a b u l o u s medieval village and we are so proud of her," says Pacentro Mayor Guido Angelilli. Madonna's family originated from this hill village at 700 m above sea level in the province of L'Aquila. Her grandparents on her father's side, Michelina a n d G a e t a n o , e m i g r a t e d t o America in 1919. Mayor Angelilli introduces me to Madonna's second cousin Amelia Vitucci, a 70-year-old housewife resident of Pacentro. She combines loves of the icon- ic entertainer with pride in her Pacentro roots. "My family is very proud of her accomplish- ments. I am proud for every- thing that comes up for my sec- ond cousin," Amelia says. "She is such a talent, a great per- f o r m e r a n d a r e a l s e l f - m a d e woman." Amelia is directly connected to Silvio Ciccone, Madonna's father. Her mother Bambina Di Iulio was the sister of Madon- na's grandmother Michelina Di Iulio. "I always keep in touch with my first cousin Silvio, known as Tony. He came to visit me sev- eral times and I paid a visit to him as well." He lives in a hill v i l l a g e i n L e e l a n a u C o u n t y , Michigan where he produces wine. Thinking about Madonna's father I cannot help but hum- m i n g t h e t u n e ' P a p a D o n ' t Preach'. Its catchy lyrics and pulsating beat get stuck in my head. Then Amelia tells me: "Our chat gives me the opportunity to officially invite Madonna to visit here. She never came. I want her to know that my door is always open." But Amelia m e t w i t h h e r o n c e , i n 1 9 8 7 when the bold pop star closed her 'Who's That Girl' tour in Turin. T h e h o u s e o f M a d o n n a ' s nonni, Casa Ciccone, is still standing in the little town center where Michelina and Gaetano were married. "Casa Ciccone is closed and is not far from my house, but has not been main- tained," says Robert Pardi, a successful businessman from New York City who moved to Pacentro. "It is a shame that Madonna h a s n e v e r c o m e t o v i s i t t h e town," he says. "If not for any- thing else to experience what I d i d , a f e e l i n g o f c o n n e c t i o n from the moment I set foot in the town." Pardi, who has lived in New York, Dubai and Rome, s a y s f o r h i m t h i s i s p a r a d i s e .  " W h e n I m o v e d t o Italy I was looking to connect to my Italian roots after the death of my wife, an amazing woman who taught me to live life, take r i s k s a n d c h a s e d r e a m s , " h e says. The warmth and generosity of the Pacentrani charmed him very much. "The people from the town hall were so helpful and unbe- l i e v a b l y w e l c o m i n g . T h e y helped me gather information a b o u t m y f a m i l y , w h e r e m y grandparents lived, who they were and how they lived more than 100 years ago.  My great grandmother made bread, my great grandfather made shoes," he explains. His fascination with Pacentro lies in its authentic Italian way of life. "It is like a film: the wonderful people, the smell of sugo cooking all day long, the strolls in the town, the sound of dogs barking, the kids playing in the piazza..." Its Caldora Castle is a gem and a fine example of medieval castle architecture in the heart of a village. Sulmona, "the town of c o n f e t t i , " i s o n l y f i v e m i l e s away. A trip to Pacentro is not complete unless you visit Majel- la National Park, 100 square miles of pristine mountains and gasp-inducing canyons. "I love to walk down to the river as the view from below the town is stunning," Pardi says. This fairytale town with a population of 1,187 souls has a strong American connection. There are two large communi- t i e s o f P a c e n t r a n i i n Y o u n g s t o w n , O h i o a n d i n Detroit, Michigan where also Madonna's father was employed in the automotive sector. "Every summer about 300 Americans come to visit," says Pardi. "I would suggest that Americans also move here. There are many h o mes f o r s ale at af f o r d ab le prices." Pacentro has become a real h o m e t o h i m . H e o w n s a n important historic house with g r a f f i t i o n i t s f a ç a d e f r o m WWI. "The views are stunning from my home. It is true par- adise," he says. H e h a s m a d e t r u e f r i e n d s including mayor Angelilli, "a dynamic, very interesting person who loves his town and is bring- ing new life to it." The mayor looks forward to the opening of a new school that will be ready in 2020. "It repre- sents the kind of school we envi- sion in the future and on that s p e c i a l o c c a s i o n I w i l l s e n d Madonna an invitation and grant h e r h o n o r a r y c i t i z e n s h i p , " Angelilli says. Without doubt Pacentro has h a d a n e n o r m o u s i m p a c t o n Pardi. "Living here has brought out my true personality. It has allowed me to slow down and really see the beauty in the little things, the humanness of life that I learned being with my wife but lost or blocked after her death. Pacentro saved me," he says. MARIELLA RADAELLI Pacentro and the beautiful Caldora Castle @Federico Garofalo Pacentro is the hometown of Veronica Luisa Ciccone's grandparents: relatives of Madonna still live in the town @Federico Garofalo ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES Pacentro: Casa Ciccone and the businessman's retreat ('Just like a prayer, your voice can take me there')

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