L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 16 L'Italo-Americano C r e c c h i o i s a s m a l l v i l l a g e l o c a t e d i n t h e province of Chi- e t i , w i t h i n t h e Abruzzo region in central Italy, known for its well-pre- served historical features, including its striking castle. It is also a member of the I Borghi più Belli d'Ita- lia (The Most Beautiful Vil- lages of Italy) association, which reflects its picturesque and culturally rich character. Perched in a part of Abruzzo t h a t t r a n s i t i o n s f r o m t h e Maiella mountains to the Adriatic coast, Crecchio is surrounded by undulating hills, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit orchards. According to historians, it was known as Ok(r)ikam in archaic times and was later referred to as Ocriculum by the Romans. The discovery of a Roman-Byzantine villa in 1973 unveiled a trove of artifacts from various peri- ods, including the Ostro- gothic, Lombard, and Byzan- tine eras. During the Middle Ages, particularly under the Anjou dynasty, Crecchio was an important citadel and, by the 15th century, it had come under the control of various noble families, including the Marzano and the De Riseis. One of the most notable historical buildings in Crec- chio is its 12th-century cas- tle, the Castello Ducale di Crecchio. Initially built by t h e L o m b a r d s i n t h e 8 t h century, it was later owned b y t h e N o r m a n s a n d t h e Aragona, who had it restored in the 15th century, and then by the De Riseis family. But the castle holds significant h i s t o r i c a l i m p o r t a n c e i n times closer to us, too: dur- ing World War II, in 1943, it served as a temporary refuge for King Victor Emmanuel I I I o f I t a l y a f t e r t h e armistice. The castle was also bombed by the Allies during the war and was later rebuilt, preserving its origi- nal appearance. Today, it houses a museum that show- c a s e s B y z a n t i n e A b r u z z o finds. But Crecchio has other historical and architectural beauties to show besides its c a s t l e a n d , a m o n g t h e m , P a l a z z o M o n a c o a n d t h e adjoined Church of Santa Maria da Piedi certainly stand out. Built in 1581, this c h u r c h n o w s e r v e s a s a n auditorium, and is charac- terized by its bell gable and its striking sandstone portal, which dates back to 1584. Just below the village, in the Valley and Park of the Mills along the Arielli River, you can find ancient mills and presses that once harnessed the river's power. K n o w n t o b e o p e r a t i o n a l since 1630, these mills were restored in the 1990s and n o w f o r m p a r t o f a p a r k t h a t ' s b o t h a n a t u r a l a n d archaeological treasure. Last but not least, the Sanctu- ary of Santa Elisabetta, Crecchio's patron saint, is another interesting location housing precious ex-votos and a wooden statue of the M a d o n n a , r e f l e c t i n g t h e skilled craftsmanship of the Abruzzo region during the 14th and 15th centuries. Crecchio's economy is pri- marily based on agriculture, with a focus on vineyards a n d o l i v e g r o v e s . T h e region is known for produc- ing Montepulciano d'Abruz- zo, a dense red wine, and Trebbiano, a rich white table wine. Despite its small size, the village also has some business activities in the tex- tile and mechanical indus- tries. When it comes to enter- t a i n m e n t a n d t r a d i t i o n s , t h e D i n n e r w i t h t h e Byzantines event is a high- light of the village's calendar that takes place on the final weekend of July. A mix of historical re-enactment, with music and ancient costumes, a n d g o o d f o o d , i t ' s a n immersive experience, link- ing culinary delights directly to the village's Byzantine connections. In late August, Crecchio d o n s a f e s t i v e l o o k f o r the Feast of Saint Elisa- betta, its patron saint, a cel- ebration that blends spiritual reverence and community joy, with brass bands, food stalls, and special events. But the essence of Crec- c h i o , a s i t ' s t y p i c a l o f s o many Italian towns and vil- lages, is also captured in its culinary traditions, deeply rooted in its agricultural her- itage. Local dishes mirror this connection to the land, and feature ingredients like corn flour, wild greens, and r e g i o n a l c h e e s e s . A l o c a l Christmas specialty is cal- cionetti, small, crescent- shaped cookies filled with a sweet, nutty filling and deep- fried until golden brown. The filling typically consists of chestnuts, almonds, choco- late, cinnamon, and lemon peel, but some variations incorporate other ingredi- e n t s l i k e h a z e l n u t s , c e c i beans (chickpeas), or dried fruits. Crecchio, of course, takes pride in its status as a wine and olive oil city, pro- ducing exquisite extra virgin olive oil and the already- mentioned Montepulciano d ' A b r u z z o a n d T r e b b i a n o wines. T h e F i e r a d i S a n t ' O r s o i n A o s t a i s a c e n - turies-old tradi- t i o n t h a t c e l e - b r a t e s t h e r e g i o n ' s r i c h craftsmanship and folklore. It is held annually on Janu- ary 30th and 31st and is one of the most important events in the Aosta Valley's calendar. The event traces its origins back to over a millennium ago — the fair's first docu- m e n t e d m e n t i o n d a t e s t o 1000 AD — which makes it o n e o f t h e o l d e s t i n t h e region. Its namesake, Saint Orso (also known as Ursus of Aosta) was an Irish monk and evangelist, venerated as a s a i n t b y t h e C a t h o l i c Church and patron saint of Aosta. Little is known about O r s o ' s e a r l y l i f e : h e i s believed to have come from Ireland and to have arrived in Aosta in the early 6th cen- tury. He became a monk at the Abbey of San Giusto in Aosta and was later appoint- e d a r c h d e a c o n . H e w a s renowned for his kindness and generosity, especially towards the poor. Orso is c r e d i t e d w i t h c o n v e r t i n g many people to Christianity in Aosta and he is also said to have performed many mira- cles, including healing the sick and raising the dead. Orso was particularly known for his kindness to the poor and his generosity in giving away his possessions. The fair initially began as a modest gathering where local farmers and craftsmen could sell their products: it was nothing more than a market for local artisans to sell their wares, and a time for people to socialize and enjoy them- selves. Quickly, however, it became an important part of Aosta's culture. Over the centuries, the fair has evolved into a celebration of Aosta's unique identity a n d , t o d a y , i t i s a s p e c i a l occasion to show the region's t r a d i t i o n a l h a n d i c r a f t s , i n c l u d i n g w o o d w o r k i n g , w o o d t u r n i n g , b a s k e t r y , leatherwork, wrought iron, s t o n e w o r k , a n d t e x t i l e s . T h e r e a r e a l s o n u m e r o u s stalls selling local food and wine, and traditional music and dancing can be heard throughout the streets. The c e n t e r p i e c e o f t h e f a i r i s the Veillà, a festive vigil that t a k e s p l a c e o n t h e n i g h t between January 30th and 31st. The streets are lit up with lanterns and filled with people enjoying the atmos- phere and traditional music until dawn. A handmade wooden cockerel, typically found at the Fiera di Sant'Orso (Photo: godongphoto/Shutterstock) The castle in Crecchio where King Victor Emmanuel III found refuge (Photo: Ermess/Dreamstime) The Fair of Saint Orso, Aosta's biggest celebration Crecchio, the medieval village where a king found refuge LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE

• Cover