We spent our second week in Italy in and around the small mountain village of Monteferrante in Abruzzo, a couple of hours east of Rome. 

Monteferrante city limits

View of the town

Two of Chad’s great-grandparents emigrated from Monteferrante to Cranford, New Jersey back in the day.  Apparently, a lot of other people emigrated from Monteferrante to Cranford as well, because, when we were there, it was a veritable New Jersey reunion.  The local priest joked that, in addition to Monteferrante, he has parishes in Cranford, Westfield, and Scotch Plains, NJ.

Today, Monteferrante has a year-round population of 70 people.  In August, the population swells as children and grandchildren come to visit older relatives in the town.  Plus, there is the US contingent that comes as well.

Walking through the town

Another small street in the town

Anyway, Monteferrante had special meaning to me as I visited it with Chad and his family.  Some older relatives still live there – Adolfo and Maria, Chad’s mom’s mom’s cousins (you do the math) and extended relatives.  

I want to fix up this cute little house and live here

As we walked the small streets on the first day with Chad’s mom, Fran, and her Italian cousin, Gabriella, we saw the house that the ancestors lived in as children.  Great-grandpa lived in the front with his family and great-grandma lived in the back with her family, and then they got married.  How cute is that!

Walking through the town with Chad, Jim, Gabriella, and Fran

Great-grandparents’ childhood home

The front door of great-grandfather’s home

We also saw the fountain where they got their water every day.  

Public fountain where Chad’s great-grandparents got their water

This probably doesn’t sound like a big deal as you read this post, but I stood there imagining the previous generations going about their daily business on these small streets with the church at the top of the hill.  Monteferrante is a magical place.  You can still get a feel for the old way of life as you walk through the town.

Tomatoes being cooked in someone’s side yard so they can be canned for the winter

On our last day, the village celebrated a festival of St. John the Baptist.  Catholic Mass in the morning included a procession through the streets with a statue of Jesus.  I followed the procession up the hill and back into the church and watched the end of Mass.  

Procession on St John the Baptist day

Procession on St John the Baptist day – notice the statue of Jesus being carried through the streets

Residents of Cranford, New Jersey paid to have the church restored several years ago and it is an unexpected beauty for such a small town.  It leaves me wondering what will happen to this church and the rest of the town when the older generation is gone.

The church

Another view of the church interior

The beautifully restored church ceiling