Built on the main street of Pietrabbondante, about 150 years ago, (now with the recognition plaque), is the house where Grandpa Alex was born is 1895.
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As with many Italian families, there were likely a few generations living together in the house for a time. What we do know for certain is that Alex was born in this house and emigrated to the US in 1899.
Looking at the house, the main entry is to the left and cellar entrance, where animals were usually kept, to the right. But my great-grandmother was a seamstress and fitted her customers in this area instead. Today, piles of wood are neatly stacked awaiting to create warm winter fires.
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Rinella proudly showed me a piece of the rock used to build the house.
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The front door opens to a staircase leading to the first floor or the living space. One can’t help but be struck by the creative use of glass bricks built into the staircase above to allow light to penetrate through.
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At the landing, a door opens to the multi purpose kitchen/living/breakfast room, with plenty of light from two large windows,
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and warmth from the fireplace.
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Beyond this is a dining room, bathroom and secondary kitchen.
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Another door leads to the upper part of the staircase with the glass bricks.
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On the second floor, a long hallway leads to two bedrooms… the primary, which we quickly passed on our right, (much more to come on this!),
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a smaller bedroom and a bathroom.
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There is even a secondary entrance which faces a higher level street behind the house.
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This long hallway houses the Singer sewing machine, still functioning, originally used by my great-grandmother!
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Incredibly, I learned on this trip that the house remains nearly unchanged, including almost all furnishings, books, etc., from the time my ancestors sold the house to the grandparents of the current family.
At the top of the next staircase leading to the third floor sits this wonderful trunk, which, I am told, belonged to my relatives and survived at least six voyages between Italy and America.
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This hallway leads to another bedroom,
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and a step up entrance to the attic.
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There were so many interesting stories and things to see and learn about here, but among my favorites were hiding spaces used during the war and various sized vessels used for crushing grapes. I asked Rinella to sit next to the large one to show its size.
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After exploring the cellar, it was time to return to the primary bedroom one floor below. And this time, all I could say was WOW!
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The huge room has two large doors which open to a balcony on the main street, proving fresh air and great lighting.
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The balcony has initials in the iron railing, one being an I, (Iacapraro) and the other unclear as it has been damaged. This, coupled with handed down stories and the age of the house, suggests that the house may have been built by my 2nd great grandfather.
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In front of the door on the right is an alcove where the old bread cabinet now sits. Prior to relocating it here, the space was where my grandfather Alex probably slept as a child!
On August 20, 1938, Alex wrote this to his wife:
“Honey, I got the real kick of the whole trip today when I reached my hometown and saw the house and the actual room of my birth.”
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The furniture, radio, books…all belonged to the Iapcapraros!
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And so, incredibly, here is where Len and I slept…not only in my ancestors’ bedroom, but surrounded by their belongings!
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And then I found out something wonderful. Alex left here at age four and returned to this home at age 43, by then a successful American architect. When seeing this, the room of his birth, he asked the owners if he could leave his mark on this room. They were delighted. And his mark? He designed the ceiling. Before departing, I am told he took necessary measurements and then worked with architects in Rome to have it installed.
The night before the ceremony, I don’t think I slept a moment. All I could do was study this massive ceiling and reflect on so many things…
the long journey that brought me here…
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Alex, my paternal grandfather, and how humbled, proud and grateful he would be…
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and the next family who was raised here, who passed on the stories, and took loving care of this house.
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In completing the final chapter of this amazing story, I am grateful to all those who helped make this happen, and also to those of you who read along and took this journey with me over these many years. Your comments and messages have been so appreciated and I always try to respond to each one.
How to end this final Pietrabbondante chapter? It came to me in a message from Rinella on the day we were returning to Chicago. This is the incredible lady who opened her home and gave her bedroom to two complete strangers for three days and nights.
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Dear Judy, here you are about to start the return journey home and when everything is ok, we will all be satisfied. We have enjoyed together to the fullest this incredible experience of our ancestors. I am sure that your journey never ends, but it repeats itself in the quietest corners of your mind. Be careful with your suitcases! because this time you are bringing home an extra and much bigger suitcase: it is your heart full of emotions, memories and new dreams and projects. We will remember, Judy, your smile and your kindness; we will remember the style and elegance of Leonard’s soul.
HAVE A GOOD TRIP JUDY AND LEONARDO. We wish you all the BEST!
Thank you, Rinella, no longer strangers, and now,
forever family…
Ciao (through my grateful tears…),
Judy
Blogging In Italy 
Oh Judy, how wonderful. I wonder how many families lived with your grandfather – siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins? I wish I knew where the Vitullo house was.
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Thanks, Lyniece, and all the information you sent me was so helpful! Soon I will begin to look up more data about the Vitullo side and will keep you informed! Thanks again, Judy
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Wow, what an amazing story! And to get to sleep in your ancestors’ bedroom under the beautiful ceiling designed by your grandfather, plus everything else, the trunk, the initial in wrought iron, so much history… just incredible.
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Thank you, it was truly incredible!
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That was unbelievable! I went back and reread your previous posts leading to this fabulous find! You must have felt you had stepped into the past and would not have been surprised if your ancestors had stepped forward when you turned any corner. what are the odds of having your family’s past so perfectly preserved?Time to write a book. Find old recipes from the region to intersperse it with your fantastic food photos. I will order mine now.
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Oh Jean, you have been after me for years to write a book and this IS my book!! HOWEVER, I’ll be on the outlook for some of those recipes you keep wanting!! Hugs to you both!!
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Judy, through ‘my tears’ I want to tell you this is wonderful and Alex’s ceiling is truly spectacular. You and Len really deserved this after all the efforts and time spent! Thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Thanks Alexis, I still can’t read her words without tearing up!! Xo
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Nothing came thru!!
>
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So sorry, try to respond to this!
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Dearest Judy,
What wonderful story you have uncovered and amazing connections and memories you have made!
Thank you for sharing this remarkable and moving piece of your family history.
They say our loved ones continue to live for as long as they are remembered…
Sending much love to you and Len.
Alex
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Thanks, Alex, I agree with what you said about our loved ones continue to live for as long as they are remembered… When I was there, I felt that a they were with me. Lots of love to you and Tony, Judy
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What a beautiful story. Your research is so informative and the photos, of course, are professional and wonderful. Congratulations on the culmination of an amazing journey and the love of new family members.
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Thanks, Julia, it truly was an amazing journey and hard to imagine just how much I got out of it! So very grateful! XO
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Oh my.You have unearthed a love story of your family!
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Thanks Sandy, that is so true! Hope all is well!
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