Tucked on the side of the tallest towering mountain in Italy, Monte Cimone, lies the native hometown of my family, Montecreto. This little town of 950 people is nestled among fir and beech trees in the Apennine Mountains in the Provence of Emilia-Romagna. Although Monte Cimone has many ski routes nearby, Montecreto has never grown into a wealthy ski village because it’s location is more hidden, remote and difficult to get to.
This was a most desperate place to live in Italy and at the turn of the 20th century compelled both sides of my impoverished family (maternal and paternal grandparents) to search for a better life in America around 1910. They settled in a little immigrant coal-mining village called “High Bridge, Iowa” which is no longer in existence.
My ancestors in Italy lived on ‘cucina povera’ (food of the poor) out of necessity and not because of its trendiness today. My grandfather hated chestnuts because that’s about the most that they had to make flour with and other recipes. Pasta and rice were staples with a bit of little meat. Chicken and rabbit were common, but never, EVER did they eat fish because of the distance from the sea. That explains why my family has never celebrated the traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner known as the “Feast of the Seven Fishes”. They could not get to the fish, nor afford it if it were in front of them, nor was fish brought up into the mountains. As a result they had never heard of the feast. My family also never could afford any of the rich desserts such as cannoli or ricotta cakes, but they did bake biscotti, which we have always called ‘contucci’ that they dipped in wine after dinner.
Similar to thousands of Italian immigrants at that time, my grandparents’ families were dirt poor, period! And they certainly did not travel to ‘America’ on the ocean ships in first class . . . I imagine they were in the bottom level of those ships with just one trunk filled with all of their belongings (of which I am the only fortunate grandchild to have one trunk from both sides of my grandparents, each over 100 years old, to cherish and pass down to my children).
But only two people people from each side (maternal and paternal) of the family moved to America. Their sisters and brothers stayed behind on the mountain and never left Italy. Eventually they moved to where they live today in the nearby bustling city of Modena, home of Luciano Pavoratti, both the Ferarri and Maserati sports cars, and balsamico vinegar. Today my relatives’ quality of life is such that my aunts, uncles and cousins have absolutely no desire to ever leave Italy. It just couldn’t be any better today!
A part of me wishes that my grandparents had never left Italy and that I would have had the opportunity to grow up in this beautiful country. But that was obviously not part of the bigger picture/plan and so here I am, a fortunate U.S. citizen visiting the land of my heritage with my parents (ages 85 and 92 years young). My mother and father have returned to Montecreto and Modena about six times, so they know their way around and are quite fluent in Italian. At one time I was fluent in the language, but you know what they say, “Use it or lose it” and I had no one to speak Italian to once I left home after college.
Today the only things that I can say in Italian are pretty censored, sex-related comments! My Scottish/German husband knows exactly what I’m saying though and it always brings a big smile on his face! 😀
While here we will not only visit my family, but also go to the local Catholic church to look through Baptismal records so that my mother can do some family genealogy work.
One of those homes on the top of that ridge is my grandmother’s childhood home. There’s only one road going through this tiny little town and you’re looking at it in both of the photos above! To get up here, one has to drive straight up twisting and winding roads with hair-pin turns, something I am SO not crazy about driving on. But chauffeur of this trip, I am. So I need to just get over my fear of mountain road driving (it’s something I usually let my husband do while I keep my eyes shut). I just pray that they have guard rails on the side edges of the road! Luckily for me, my sister who has driven this road before told me that there’s not a lot of traffic!
After I return to the States, I’ll share more photos. For now, I’m off exploring this little mountain town, visiting family, talking, eating delicious home-made Italian food, drinking some vino, looking through dust-covered, aged record books in a church basement, and thanking God that I’ve got this moment in time to be in this lovely little spot on earth.
Ciao!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!!
This was the best part of my trip!
Oh my gosh! So gorgeous. Hope you’re having a great time!
It was an amazing trip ,Joanne!
Lovely! Wishing you safe travel and a wonderful visit.
Best,
Bonnie
Thanks so much Bonnie!
Roz, Your stories of your grandparents pull on my heart…Can’t help but marvel at the Grace which takes individuals and families around those twisty roads that lead to more bountiful destinations.
Hi Ninja, It was Grace that helped me indeed drive in Italy!
What a beautiful place! The 2nd photo looks gorgeous.
It truly is a beautiful place, Angie!
FAbulous photos jealous, jealous jealous ENJOY! Keep them coming!
I need to go back as soon as possible Claudia!
What a treat to visit your ancestral home and visit with relatives. I immediately went to Google Earth to have a look at Montecreto and the surrounding area.
It’s pretty small, Larry! But you’ll find it on the map! This really was a treat to visit!
It’s all so amazing, isn’t it? The seeking of a better life – that really took guts – to move away and start again. It’s a place of beauty (all of Italy is). I hope you have better luck looking up baptismal records than my parents did. (Churches were burned during the 2 world wars). But however the outcome, you’re just soaking it all in, aren’t you. Enjoy!
We were able to find some family records Claudia, but like you said, not all of them are around anymore! It was a great trip though!
So happy for you, Roz. Love these updates and seeing what you are up to while you are there. Thanks for sharing this trip with us all, I look forward to seeing the new messages in my inbox with you so many miles away.
Thanks Crystal, I’m glad that I was able to find your new blog address to continue to follow you too! Happy Holidays!
You are living my dream right now… To travel with your parents in a place of your heritage… I am so happy for you! I am desperate to return to Germany but I only want to do it with my parents along. We left Germany when I was nearly 14 years old and although I have MANY fond memories and I remember a lot about everything, I wouldn’t even know where to begin to go see the many places that make up all those wonderful memories. However, my parents… They know Germany and all the places I wish to see again like the backs of their hands. So going with them is a must. They are now 70 and 71 years old and beginning to say that they are too old to make the trip at all. I plan to share your post with them and say, SEE?! You can do it!
Sending you always my best with thanks for your beautiful blog!
Janet
Janet, I read your comment to my mother and we both agree completely with you! Go and visit Germany and if possible, with your parents. You will cherish it forever!
What a beautiful place to call home Roz. And how wonderful that you and your parents are sharing the experience. My mom was from Emilia Romagna, but I never heard of Montecreto. I’m off to look it up on a map. Have a wonderful time.
Linda, where in E-R is your mother from? How interesting to know that we’ve got similar Italian roots!!!!
Dear Roz, your posts bring me to tears. My family is originally from Italy and one day I would love to go back there…I have never been to Italy, but it is my destination.
It’s beautiful that you still have family over there to visit. I wish you and your mom the best of luck with your search through the records.
I look forward to more posts. Blessings my dear, your friend, Catherine xo
I hope that your dream comes true, Catherine!
What a wonderful story, you are so fortunate to spend this time with your parents! enjoy!! anne
Thanks Anne, I truly am counting my blessings!
What an incredibly interesting post. Enjoyed it! 🙂
I am so pleased that you enjoyed, Jennifer! I’m off to visit your blog now!
so nice to hear so many of the familiar food words on your site that we speak of in my home! looking forward to your photos and more posts on your amazing trip! so jealous!
Hi Rosemary, Thanks for your kind words in your comment! I look forward to all of your great posts on your blog too!
What an absolutely breathtaking place! How wonderful to have come from such a place and be able to return to see it still there! A lot of these quaint, beautiful places in the states are disappearing.
I couldn’t agree more! It was so pretty!
I truly enjoyed reading your post this morning. Ten years ago I made the trip to the ancestral homes of my maternal and paternal grandparents…one in Le Marche (Orciano di Pesaro) and the other in Sicily (Ferla). As I stood in one location looking out at vistas such as you show in your post, there was a village standing next to me. He spoke halting English and I spoke halting Italian. I said “How could my grandfather leave such beauty?” He responded…”You are looking at it with a full stomach!”
I read your post to my mother, because that was the same reason why our relatives left Italy. She totally agreed with what this man said to you! Thanks for your interesting comment, Patricia!
Nice Roz, I spotted this post a few days ago, but i did not have time to read it. It’s so nice that you share this special trip with us.
Thanks Rita, it was such a joy to visit Italy! So beautiful!
I loved learning about your family’s history! What a picturesque town…and how blessed you are to visit with your parents!
Yes, it was very special indeed Liz! I feel very blessed!
Roz, To experience this with your parents is priceless! Enjoy every second. Wonderful memories for a lifetime!
You said it perfectly Marie! I’m ready to go back again!
Congratulations on making it back to Montecreto. My family is also from Montecreto and as a 2nd generation Italian-American, I look forward to returning home. I am eager to hear about your experience when you are finished.
Wow that is SO COOL! When will you be visiting Montecreto?
My family is from there as well! Maybe they knew each other 🙂
Tiffany,
Let me know your family’s last names and I will pass it on to my mother who knows a lot about Montecreto! I have had more people read this blog post and contact me about it! Someone is even having a get-together this summer in Illinois regarding all of the folks who came over here from that are of Italy. I wish that I could go! Anyhow, if you feel comfortable, let me know some family names and I will give the info to my mother. My last name is “Corieri” with “Adani” as my paternal grandmother’s last name. On my mother’s side, her last name is “Santi” and my maternal grandmother’s last name is “Lazzaretti”. I don’t know all of the names beyond those, so my mother would have to help me out.
Ciao,
Roz
Wow I am from Illinois! Masinelli and Pedruzzi are the names for my family. 🙂
Tiffany,
I am going to let the gentleman who informed me of all the Illinois immigrants from Montecreto, know your last name’s too….but only with your permission. His cousin in Florence just emailed him; she is reading my blog posts about Italy too now . . . of which he forwarded her email to me to read. She found my family in Iowa in her research. She is the woman coming to the old mine area of Illinois where the men of Montecreto came to work. I am sure that she will find your family names because Montecreto has only 900 people there today and there were even less people there ‘way back when’. Do you mind if I share your last name with Jerry to maybe pass on to his cousin in Florence? Please let me know.
Roz
I don’t mind. We have had a difficult time finding much about the Masinelli side. My great grandfather came over and worked in a coal mine. I know that much.
hi
i live in a small town in illinois, spring valley. we are the sister city to montecreto, italy and i am in charge of planning a trip for some of our townspeople to come for a visit. can you recommend anything to me so i have a better understanding of how to plan.
accommodations, bus route, restaurants, nearby towns, etc.
grazie mille!
jim
Hello! I hope you still upkeep this site. My grandfather and grandmother both supposedly came out of Montecreto. Last name Bosi. I believe this is the right city, Sometimes, it hard to read older handwriting. Who can I contact to confirm. My grandfather also moved to Illinois and worked in the coal mines. He was in Ladd Illinois (near spring valley) We are planning a trip to Italy in September, and would love to visit. All of his brothers and sisters are still in Italy and one brother was a priest at the Vatican. Thank you! I would appreciate any info you can provide!
FROM ALLISSA, on DECEMBER 12, 2020 written directly to me through an email message:
Hello,
I just finished a nice article about Montecreto. My mother’s family is from there as well. Your article gave me a glimpse of what it was like for the Masinelli family to live in those times as well. Your article could’ve mirrored them. Thank you for sharing your story.
Warm Regards,
Allisa