The Long Walk

Today we decided to visit the Municipio to search their town records for more family.  My grandfather had always spoken of twin sisters of his that had died, but I never knew how old they were.  The guy at the Municipio was more than happy to help and had most of the answers I was looking for.

My grandpa's original boat ticket that I found last year.

A portrait of him on the boat.  (with the red dot over his head)

A picture of him sailing through the straits of Gibraltar.

Some old family records from a big, old book at the municipio.

Mary had some questions about her family and had scanned some info that was written down 10 years ago when her father was there last.  The man looked at the paper and exclaimed, "This is my handwriting, and the name on this list is my grandmother!  We are cousins!

Last night, we were told a strange and interesting story- in the Middle Ages there was a Marquis.  The Marquis had decreed that it was his right to sleep with all of the new brides.

One day, there was a man that refused to let the Marquis sleep with his new wife, so he cut off the Marquis head and it was hung in the town for all to see.

Pictured above, is the gate to the old walled part of the city (Piazza Vecchia).  I had walked through it dozens of times and never noticed the cement version of the head of the Marquis.  No, I would have to look much closer.

So, for the afternoon, we decided to take a walk to see the old bridge that spans the Fortore River.  It was going to be a very long walk.

First, we walked past the St Rocco Church.  Est. 1920.

A view of the hills.

And the gently blowing wheat fields.

Waaay down in the valley, we could see the bridge that was our destination.

The mostly dried up Fortore river.

Turns out the old bridge was torn down years ago.  Here we are on the new bridge.

I wonder if these pictures of my grandfather on his bike were taken around the mill area.

Our walk ended at the Old Water Mill

The Roseto "piscina" or swimming pool.

After 11.5 MILES of walking...we were ready to walk back UPHILL to the town center.

Local dogs checking us out.

Braided garlic.

Back to Mulini Street.  The street my grandfather grew up on.