L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023 www.italoamericano.org 16 L'Italo-Americano LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE T ucked away in the southern region of Calabria, Italy, lies t h e s t u n n i n g medieval village of Gerace. The village, situat- ed on a hilltop overlooking the Ionian Sea, is a hidden g e m o f t e n o v e r l o o k e d b y tourists. However, those who take the time to explore this c h a r m i n g v i l l a g e w i l l b e rewarded with a rich history, breathtaking views, delicious c u i s i n e , a n d f a s c i n a t i n g curiosities. Gerace is located in the province of Reggio Calabria a n d i s p a r t o f t h e A s p r o m o n t e N a t i o n a l Park, so the village is sur- r o u n d e d b y l u s h f o r e s t s , rolling hills, and fertile plains, which make it an ideal loca- tion for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Visitors can explore the park's stunning natural landmarks, including the Marmarico Waterfalls, the M o n t a l t o F o r e s t , a n d t h e Amendolea River. T h e v i l l a g e w a s l i k e l y founded by the Greeks in the 8 t h c e n t u r y B C a n d t h e n t a k e n b y t h e R o m a n s , t h e Byzantines, and the Normans. Each of these conquerors left their mark on its architecture and culture, resulting in a unique blend of styles and traditions. If you love art and architecture, Gerace has a lot t o o f f e r t o y o u : f r o m t h e remains of its ancient walls to its Norman Castle, from its Gothic Cathedral to the many Baroque churches that dot the village's landscape. The Nor- man Castle, built in the 10th century, offers stunning views of the surrounding country- side and the sea. The Cathe- d r a l , a l s o k n o w n a s t h e C h u r c h o f S a n t a Maria Assunta, is a Gothic masterpiece that boasts a stunning rose window and intricate frescoes. Visitors can also explore Palazzo San Francesco, a former m o n a s t e r y t h a t h a s b e e n converted into a museum showcasing the village's his- tory and art. But Gerace is also full of fascinating curiosities that will surprise and delight its v i s i t o r s , l i k e i t s u n d e r - ground tunnels. Some his- torians believe that the tun- nels were created during the Greek and Roman periods, p o s s i b l y f o r m i l i t a r y o r defensive purposes. Howev- er, there is limited archaeo- logical evidence to support this theory. Others believe the tunnels were built in the Middle Ages, possibly by the Normans who conquered the area in the 11th century. This hypothesis is based on the architectural style of the tun- nels themselves and on the fact they lead to Gerace's Norman Castle. Of course, there are also some legends to mention, including stories of secret underground pas- sages used by the Knights Templar and hidden trea- sures. Today, some of these tunnels have been restored and are open to visitors as part of guided tours of the town. Just like the rest of Cal- abria, Gerace is also known for its delicious cuisine, characterized by its use of fresh, locally sourced ingre- d i e n t s , b o l d f l a v o r s , a n d spicy seasonings. Some of the most famous products in Gerace — and Calabria! — are 'nduja, a spreadable sala- mi made with pork meat, hot r e d p e p p e r , a n d s p i c e s ; c a c i o c a v a l l o , a t y p e o f c h e e s e m a d e f r o m c o w ' s m i l k , t y p i c a l l y a g e d a n d smoked; and soppressata, a s p i c y , d r y - c u r e d s a u s a g e made with pork meat and seasoned with fennel seeds. While in Gerace, you should t r y s p a g h e t t i a l l a C a l - abrese, a pasta dish made with tomato sauce, chili pep- pers, garlic, and olive oil. Last but not least, Gerace has a plethora of cool events to enjoy, like the Fiera di San Giorgio, which is the most important fair in Ger- ace and takes place on April 23rd, the feast day of the town's patron saint, Saint George. The fair is a colorful and lively event that attracts thousands of visitors from all over Italy. There are food stalls, artisanal products, a n d v a r i o u s c u l t u r a l a n d musical events. If you are there in July, you participate i n t h e t r a d i t i o n a l F e s t a d e l l a M a d o n n a d e l C a r m i n e , o n J u l y 1 6 t h , d e d i c a t e d t o t h e t o w n ' s p a t r o n e s s , t h e V i r g i n o f Mount Carmel. The celebra- tion includes a procession through the town's streets, fireworks, and a fair with food and traditional prod- ucts. If you like antiques and curiosities, you'll be happy to k n o w t h a t G e r a c e h a s i t s own mercatino dell'anti- quariato, which takes place o n t h e s e c o n d S u n d a y o f every month. I l 25 Aprile is a sig- n i f i c a n t h i s t o r i c a l date in Italy, marking t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f W o r l d W a r I I a n d Fascism in the country. This is a day to reflect on the past, r e m e m b e r t h e s a c r i f i c e s m a d e , a n d c e l e b r a t e t h e birth of a new Italy. My grandmother used to tell me how, on this day in 1945 - she was 27, back then, and my mother was only 6 months old - the church bells in her small northern Italian village began to chime and e v e r y o n e h u r r i e d t o t h e streets to celebrate. It was a m o m e n t o f c o l l e c t i v e j o y , akin to the famous image of the American sailor kiss- ing a young nurse in the streets of New York when, a handful of months later, the w a r e n d e d f o r t h e U n i t e d States, too. But, things were not easy after April 25th. Italy lost a generation of men in the war, and violence was widespread in the follow- ing months, a time when the country lacked proper lead- ership and rules. It took time for Italy and Italians to heal. Today, I believe we must r e m e m b e r a l l t h o s e w h o fought, all those who per- ished in the Second World War, and all those who suf- fered as a result of tyranny. Italian men, more often than not, had no choice but to go to the front, and we shouldn't forget their sacrifice, either. My own grandfather was sent to the Russian front because he never joined the Fascist party, and our family was historically socialist: mar- ried, with two small children, he feared that, if he refused, the regime would harm his family. And so, he went. O n t h e d a y , t h e P r e s i - dent of Italy places a floral wreath at the Altare della P a t r i a , t h e m e m o r i a l t o Italian troops who perished i n a l l w a r s . T o h o n o r t h e occasion, many cities and t o w n s h o l d p a r a d e s , c o n - c e r t s , a n d o t h e r e v e n t s . W h e r e v e r y o u a r e i n t h e country, you will definitely hear someone singing Bella C i a o , t h e s o n g s y m b o l o f I t a l y ' s R e s i s t e n z a a g a i n s t Nazi-Fascism. Especially in t i m e s l i k e t h e s e , i l 2 5 Aprile is a moment to medi- tate on our past and on the i m p o r t a n c e o f d e m o c r a c y and human freedom. Streets celebrations on the 25th of April (Photo: Cristianm/Dreamstime) A view of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Cathedral of Gerace (Photo: Gunold/Dreamstime) Il 25 Aprile: the day democratic Italy was born Gerace, a Calabrian Medieval beauty

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