Ever since I posting on my father’s home town of San Michele nel Comune di Serrastretta (CZ) in Calabria a while back,I’ve been receiving requests for more photos from people who’s family also originated from there. It’s shocking really because there are very few people that still live there: but it wasn’t always that way. When my father was growing up,the town was a different place…full of families and children. It’s a bit sad really but hopefully these photos will bring back fond memories for those who grew up there.
Here are some recent photos from San Michele when I was there a few weeks ago. My uncle still lives there with his family.
The sign outside of town –Maruchi and San Michele are basically one town now. It’s where Maruca’s come from!
The old church steps –with the new temporary church below
Same church steps facing the opposite direction back in the day
The old church bell tower –doesn’t ring like it used to
The new temporary church
la bottega (or “a putiga”) the only one in town
il palazzo/old post office –recently renovated and currently being used by 4 resident nuns
looking up the main road
looking up the same main road
the elementary school –has been closed for a very long time
The steps leading to San Michele from i Maruchi –a bit overgrown these days
Make sure to visit the “Where in Italy are you from” page on Italyville and let us know where in Italy your family is from.
It’s sad how those small country towns are becoming depopulated. I’m glad you still have family there to visit. Especially loved the old photos of the families.
The old photos of the families are just achingly beautiful. I am hoping to visit Stigliano in Basilicata next spring –my grandmother was from there and I am told hardly anyone lives there anymore. Unfortunately,I have no idea where my cousins are anymore. Oh how I wish I had the internet 30 years ago.
Beautiful photos! It’s amazing how many towns there are like San Michele. My dad’s town is very similar in that it’s very old and at one time was overflowing with people. It breaks my heart to see it but even though the population isn’t anything what it used to be,the town still holds its beauty and history with every turn!
It’s nice to know you have family to visit there. I am blessed to still have family in my dad’s town as well. I know there are many that want to visit their families birthplace but no longer have relatives there to visit.
Love the info on your family name.
When I see those beautiful pictures of Italy would also go to Italy.
I loved looking at these photos. The town looks like it is filled with history with a lot of soul. Its sad to know it isn’t filled with families like it used to be. I have friends in my town from Cosenza. I will have to show them these photos. They are older and do not have internet so they will have to come over to see them!
I didn’t realize your family is from Serrastretta! I have a friend who lives there (returned to her roots too);Rabbi Barbara Aiello is her name. She is also helping to bring the area back to its Jewish roots. Really fascinating stuff!
Barbara,I should mention,lives in Serrastretta “proper,”not in the frazione of your family
Hi Michelle. My dad’s town is in the comune di Serrastretta but not very close to Serrastretta itself…although I have been there and it’s a great town! I didn’t know it had Jewish roots.
Hey,My mum was born in this town,my granddad’s house (cnr) is in one of your photos and as I was born in the next town (angoli),this little town was my playground until I was 8 or so.
My granddad was Eugenio Fazio,my mum is Elena Fazio Molea,my name is Francesca Molea Azambuja. Would love to know how our families are linked.
Thank you
F
Grispelle,Monacialli,Cucuzzieli e Uova,Fraguni! Outside of my mother’s and zia’s kitchens I have never seen these yummy things to eat. We have to be related!
F
These photo are fabulous! Thanks for sharing
So wonderful to have Italyville to come and visit.
My parents were both born in Calabria.
My dad form Strongoli
My mom form Scala Coeli
provincia di Cosenza
We are sure we don’t have any family in Italy.
I loved seeing the new pictures –I grew up in Maruchi and went to that elementary school….wow that was a long time ago.
Good evening
My name is José Gatto Neto and I live in Brasilia,DF,the Brazil’s Capital.
My mother’s father waa born in San Michelle,Catanzaro’s province in the 19th century and I’d like konow I have same relatives here. His name was Mazza,Francisco. Thank you
Good evening
My name is José Gatto Neto and I live in Brasilia,DF,the Brazil’s Capital.
My mother’s father was born in San Michelle,Catanzaro’s province in the 19th century and I’d like konow I have same relatives here. His name was Mazza,Francisco. Thank you
Hi Joe. What a great website. Such beautiful photos of the town. I particularly love the old photos. My father Trieste Talarico was born in San Michele in 1933 and migrated to Australia in 1966. He passed away in January of this year. His sister still vacations in San Michele. I have cousins that have the surname Fazio too. Are you able to provide the date of the photo taken of the large group on the church steps? It’s lovely to have access to these beautiful photos which open a window to my father’s past. Thank you.