L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 16 L'Italo-Americano M aruggio is s i t u a t e d a p p r o x i - m a t e l y 2 5 m i l e s ( c a . 4 0 k m ) e a s t o f T a r a n t o , within a natural depression between the inland and the coastline. Its beaches are known for being sandy, with occasional rocky stretches in t h e e a s t e r n p a r t . T h e s e a here is often referred to as the sea of seven colors, due to its varying hues and beauty. Its origins can be traced to a period between 870 and 963 AD, after the hamlets of Castigno, Olivaro, Civitec- chia, and San Nicolò were unified. Initially under the jurisdiction of the Terra d'O- tranto, around 1100 Marug- gio came under the influence of the Knights Templar, who played a pivotal role in t h e a r e a ' s d e v e l o p m e n t , n o t a b l y b y d r a i n i n g t h e marshlands surrounding the v i l l a g e a n d i n i t i a t i n g s a l t extraction activities from c o a s t a l p o n d s . A f t e r t h e T e m p l a r s ' d i s s o l u t i o n i n 1312, the Knights of Malta assumed control, fortifying the village against Turkish p i r a t e i n c u r s i o n s b y c o n - structing a castle and coastal towers, remnants of which still stand today. The feudal era concluded in 1806, but the Knights of Malta main- tained a presence in Marug- gio until 1819. T h e e t y m o l o g y o f t h e name Maruggio is subject to interpretation: some suggest it derives from Marubium, a medicinal herb, while others b e l i e v e i t r e f e r s t o m a r e u g g i o s o ( " g l o o m y s e a " ) , alluding to the sea's scirocco w i n d s d u r i n g w i n t e r months. Maruggio's historic cen- t e r , o n c e e n c l o s e d b y medieval walls and known as Terra Murata — as well as, locally, Sciangài — is characterized by a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets lined with ancient, white- w a s h e d h o u s e s a d o r n e d with Renaissance balconies o f r a r e b e a u t y ; n o t a b l e s t r u c t u r e s i n c l u d e t h e M o t h e r C h u r c h o f t h e Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built entirely from carparo , a yellow- hued stone quarried locally, which lends a golden hue to t h e e n t i r e o l d t o w n . T h e c h u r c h , c o n s t r u c t e d between the 15th and 16th c e n t u r i e s , s h o w s m a n y R e n a i s s a n c e a r t i s t i c e l e - m e n t s , a n d i s e s p e c i a l l y known for being home to a r t w o r k s b y t h e B i a n c h i b r o t h e r s , a 1 7 t h - c e n t u r y w o o d e n c r u c i f i x , a n d t h e Chapel of the Blessed Sacra- ment. Adjacent to the main square, we find the Palaz- zo del Commendatore, dating from the same era, which has undergone sever- al modifications over time and once featured small oil mills on its ground floor. The Knights of Malta also established the Church of San Giovanni outside the w a l l s i n h o n o r o f t h e i r patron saint; in the past, there was also a small hospi- tal connected to the church, w h i c h h a s s i n c e d i s a p - peared. Another significant monument is the Convent of the Observant Friars Minor, now serving as the municipal headquarters. The beauty and charm of M a r u g g i o e x t e n d i n t o i t s landscape, dominated by majestic centuries-old olive t r e e s , a n c i e n t m a s s e r i e (traditional farmhouses), votive chapels, trulli, and dry-stone walls that border lush vineyards.These very vineyards produce Primiti- vo, a prized wine known for its harmony of colors, aro- mas, and flavors. Not far, t h e C a m p o m a r i n o Dunes, which reach heights o f u p t o 1 2 m e t e r s , h a v e been recognized for their environmental significance, for which a Regional Natural Reserve has been created to protect them. A s y o u w o u l d e x p e c t , culinary traditions are deeply rooted in Maruggio's culture: the village is known for producing high-quality olive oil and the already- mentioned Primitivo wine. Local cuisine features a vari- ety of dishes based on local a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t s , including orecchiette pasta served with tomato sauce or turnip greens, and seafood specialties. T h e m a i n t r a d i t i o n a l events in town are associat- ed with local religious cele- brations, including the feast of the village's patron saints, St. John the Baptist and St. Christopher, known for their p r o c e s s i o n s , m u s i c , a n d communal meals. In recognition of its his- torical and cultural signifi- cance, Maruggio has been listed among I Borghi più b e l l i d ' I t a l i a ( " T h e m o s t beautiful villages of Italy"), a r e c o g n i t i o n t h a t n o t o n l y pays tribute to its beauty and historical-artistic signif- icance, but also to the town's commitment to investing in protecting its heritage and embracing sustainability. T he 25th of April is very special in Venice, because t h e c i t y d o e s n ' t o n l y c e l e b r a t e , like the rest of Italy, the Lib- e r a z i o n e , b u t a l s o S t . M a r k , L a S e r e n i s s i m a ' s patron saint. A Venetian tra- dition, typical of this day, is the Festa del Bòcolo. T h e t e r m b ò c o l o i n Venetian dialect refers to a rosebud and, on this day, it's customary for men to pre- sent a red rosebud to the sig- nificant women in their lives — b e i t w i v e s , f i a n c é e s , mothers, or sisters — as a symbol of enduring love and admiration. The origins of the tradition are quite enig- matic: an early 9th century legend says that Maria, the d a u g h t e r o f D o g e A n g e l o Partecipazio, fell deeply in love with Tancredi, a humble troubadour. Aware that her father would disapprove of their union due to social dis- parities, Maria urged Tancre- d i t o j o i n C h a r l e m a g n e ' s army in Spain, hoping that his valor in battle would ele- v a t e h i s s t a t u s . T a n c r e d i , h o w e v e r , w a s m o r t a l l y wounded near a rose garden during the battle of Ronce- v a u x a n d , i n h i s f i n a l moments, he plucked a white r o s e , s t a i n e d i t w i t h h i s blood, and entrusted it to his friend Orlando to deliver to Maria. Upon receiving the blood-tinted rose, Maria was overcome with grief and died on April 25th, the crimsoned rosebud resting on her heart. It is to honor Tancredi and Maria's love that people in Venice exchange red roses on the day of St. Mark. Another legend associates the bòcolo tradition directly to St. Mark, more precisely, to a rose garden that grew beside his tomb. A plant from i t w a s g i f t e d t o B a s i l i o , a s a i l o r f r o m G i u d e c c a , who planted it in his home's garden, where it marked the boundary between his two sons' properties. Family dis- p u t e s c a u s e d t h e r o s e t o c e a s e b l o o m i n g f o r m a n y years, until a young woman and a young man from the feuding branches of the fami- ly fell in love with one anoth- er, mending the family rift. A f t e r t h a t , B a s i l i o ' s r o s e bloomed again. In memory of t h i s r e c o n c i l i a t o r y l o v e , Venetians still present a red rosebud to their loved ones each April 25th. Ponte dei Sospiri and a mysterious "bòcolo" seller (Photo: Rusel1981/Dreamstime) L o v e , l e g e n d s , a n d r o s e s : Venice's Festa del Bòcolo Maruggio, the village of knights and vineyards The Palace of Commanders in Maruggio (Photo: Milla74/Dreamstime) LIFE PEOPLE PLACES EVENTS

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