L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 16 L'Italo-Americano G a e t a i s a p i c - turesque town on the Tyrrhen- i a n c o a s t o f Italy known for i t s r i c h h i s t o r y , s t u n n i n g architecture, and breathtak- i n g n a t u r a l l a n d s c a p e s , w h i c h m a k e i t a b e l o v e d tourist destination. Located in the Lazio region, in the province of Latina, Gaeta is s t r a t e g i c a l l y p o s i t i o n e d northwest of Naples. The town's history goes all the way back to the Roman e r a w h e n i t s e r v e d a s a prominent military and trad- ing hub. The Roman influ- ence is evident in its ancient villas and the mausoleum of Lucius Munatius Plan- cus, which highlight Gaeta's i m p o r t a n c e a l r e a d y i n Roman times. Over the cen- turies, Gaeta was ruled by various empires and king- doms, including the Byzan- tines, the Normans, and the Bourbon dynasty, which con- tributed to its diverse cultur- al and architectural land - scape. During the Middle Ages, the town grew in significance under Byzantine suzerainty, becoming a nearly indepen- dent port engaging in trade w i t h t h e L e v a n t ; i n t h o s e years, Gaeta was also a key player in the defense against Saracen invasions. Even- tually, the town embraced a republican form of govern- ment and the Duchy of Gaeta was established. This era left a lasting impact on its struc- ture and cultural heritage, including the construction of the palace and various reli- gious and military buildings . Architecturally, Gaeta is home to several significant landmarks. The Chiesa di San Giovanni al Mare is one of Gaeta's oldest, noted for its Byzantine style, which s e t s i t a p a r t i n a r e g i o n where diverse architectural i n f l u e n c e s c o n v e r g e . I t s m e d i e v a l d o m e , a d o r n e d with Arabic-style decor and ancient frescoes, offers a glimpse into the multicultur- a l i n f l u e n c e s t h a t h a v e shaped southern Italy. Gaeta's Duomo, dedicat- ed to patron Saints Maria A s s u n t a i n C i e l o a n d S S . E r a s m o a n d M a r c i a n o , dates back to the 11th centu- ry, even though the church w e s e e t o d a y w a s l a r g e l y built in the 18th. Positioned high above town, the Tem- pio di San Francesco is significant both for its spiri- tual value and for its beauti- f u l a r c h i t e c t u r e a n d panoramic position, which makes it popular as a spot to take photos. Nature has been just as generous with Gaeta and its surroundings, with stunning beaches like Serapo Beach and the unique geological f o r m a t i o n s o f M o n t e Orlando. Here we can find the Sanctuary of the Split Mountain (Santuario della Montagna Spaccata) and t h e G r o t t a d e l T u r c o , b o t h a m o n g t h e m o s t famous attractions in the area. Legends say that Mon- tagna Spaccata split during t h e c r u c i f i x i o n o f J e s u s , adding a mystical dimension to its natural beauty. The Grotta del Turco, with its sheer cliff dropping vertical- ly into the sea, has a more historical charm, as it takes its name from the fact that S a r a c e n p i r a t e s u s e d t h e cave as a hideout. The cave is also known for its dramatic natural features, including t h e s p l e n d i d g r e e n a n d turquoise reflections visible when the sun hits the water j u s t r i g h t . A c c e s s t o i t i s facilitated by a staircase of a b o u t 3 0 0 s t e p s , w h i c h allows visitors to descend to sea level. When it comes to food, Gaeta's cuisine reflects its u n i q u e p o s i t i o n b e t w e e n Rome and Naples, and offers a delightful mix of flavors, t h a n k s t o d i s h e s t h a t a r e both traditional and specific t o t h e a r e a . T h e c u l i n a r y scene in Gaeta is particularly famous for specialties like olives of Gaeta and tielle, a n d f o r t h e q u a l i t y o f i t s seafood. The black olives of G a e t a c a n b e e n j o y e d o n t h e i r o w n o r u s e d a s a n ingredient in various dishes, including pasta and the local tiella, which is a local signa- ture dish. Tiella is a savory pie, almost a cross between a p i z z a a n d a c a l z o n e ; i t i s made with a softer dough and can be filled with a vari- ety of ingredients, including s e a f o o d ( e s p e c i a l l y c a l a - mari), vegetables (such as eggplant, zucchini, and pota- toes), and sometimes even a combination of cheese and prosciutto. E xploring the tra- ditions of Lent in Italy can lead us down a path of rituals deeply connected both with Christ- ian beliefs and local customs. I n P u g l i a , f o r i n s t a n c e , many families practice a curi- ous rite involving ... a grater. I l r i t o d e l l a g r a t t u g i a stands for symbolic cleansing and preparation for Lent: in it, people clean their cheese graters by passing them over a flame on Ash Wednesday, which symbolizes the cleans- ing of the soul and Lent's purifying intentions. This rit- ual also marks the transition f r o m u s i n g t h e g r a t e r f o r cheese to preparing bread- c r u m b s i n s t e a d , w h i c h reflects the abstention from luxury and a return to sim- plicity and spiritual focus during the forty days before Easter. The tradition of piante vergini (virgin plants) is a l s o v e r y c o m m o n a c r o s s I t a l y , e v e n t h o u g h i t i s n ' t called that everywhere. On Ash Wednesday, many fami- lies (in some areas, the prac- tice is carried out at commu- n i t y l e v e l , u n d e r t h e s u p e r v i s i o n o f t h e p a r i s h priest) begin tending to young plants, a custom rooted in ancient pagan rituals. The process involves placing a t h i n l a y e r o f s o i l i n a makeshift container, such as an old clay plate or a pan no longer in use, and sowing seeds of wheat, barley, lentils, or chickpeas. These seeds, which are a symbol of abun- dance and rebirth, are kept in the dim parts of the house throughout the forty days of Lent, and they are watered f r e q u e n t l y . T h e y s p r o u t q u i c k l y , a n d , d u e t o t h e absence of light, they develop a pale-yellowish hue. This dis- tinctive coloration is why they a r e r e f e r r e d t o a s " v i r g i n plants," implying they are untouched by light. On Holy Thursday, they are taken to the church and placed at the foot of the Sepulcher. This very popular tradition is a blend of the spiritual and the agrarian and reflects many communities' old connection to both their faith and the natural world. For many, it well represents the meaning of Lent and all of its themes: penance, reflection, and hope for new beginnings. Little plants like this one are known in some parts of Italy as "piante vergini" and are a s s o c i a t e d w i t h a t r a d i t i o n t y p i c a l o f L e n t ( P h o t o : V a l i a n t s i n a Harbunova/Dreamstime) Beautiful Gaeta, in Lazio (Photo: Javarman/Dreamstime) C u r i o u s t r a d i t i o n s o f t h e Italian Lent Gaeta, a pearl of history on the Tyrrhenian Sea LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE

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