Gorga is a small mountain town 80 km from Rome which can be reached after 12 winding curves, just as Croton Falls can be reached by driving 80 km north of New York.
What do these two towns have in common?
The “meeting point” is Nancy and her Italian origins, and her heart split between America and Italy.
Nancy Bondatti Bruno and her parents were born in America but their roots are firmly rooted in the small town of Gorga, perched on the Lepini Mountains south-east of Rome.
Gorga is famous for its mountain landscapes and for a particular astronomical observatory. In fact, the clear sky and the distance from all forms of light pollution make it perfect for star seekers and for all fans who love to photograph the astronomical bodies of light.
Astronomy lovers come from all over the world to observe the starry sky from this perspective. Together with the nearby town, Colleferro, where one of the most renowned Italian space companies is based visiting these territories is a full astronomical experience. Even more exciting is that Colleferro has been announced as the European City of Space for 2021.
The winding road of 12 tight bends ends right in the town square, and only those who really want to go to Gorga “make it through” this road. There are no occasional passers-by.
This is why everyone knows each other, that’s why what strikes you the most when you first get there, are the looks of people that see you for the first time: between surprise and curiosity. They want to know immediately who has decided to take the 12 tight curves that separate them from the Sacco Valley to get to “their home”.
Nancy’s maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother come from Gorga, and her paternal grandfather from the nearby town of Sgurgola with her maternal grandmother from San Giorgio, Benevento.
The two surnames with the different roots are immediately recognized.
Her grandfather, Pietro Maiorani arrived in New York in 1905 and immediately found a small community of people from Gorga. Her paternal grandmother, Annunziata Folchetti was already here. They all helped each other to settle in this new world.
Everything was different: the language, the landscapes, the way of interacting with others…. A community for many was the best way to settle in quickly. Everyone learned from the experience of others and, if help was needed, everyone knew where to turn.
Her grandfather had only returned to Gorga once, because he was afraid to fly and the ship trip was far too long. But the ties never lost their intensity because of the family traditions and love for this small town.
Nancy grew up in America and her preferred language is certainly English, but in her heart the Italian traditions are still very strong, and her coming back to Gorga is always exciting.
One of her trips, about 5 years ago, she brought her youngest daughter with her. A stop at “Uncle Ettore” she met the family and was able to experience the Italian lifestyle.
She was particularly surprised that everything they ate in the rich family lunch had all been produced by their uncle himself. “Il prosciutto di Zio Ettore e il più buono di tutta Italia”!!
And immediately the memories of her grandfather returned to her, because in these small towns life has kept some of the same flavors over the years: the sound of bells, the bleating of sheep and the grazing of cows.
When he was a boy, he and his brothers spent 5 days in the valley tending the sheep and working in the vineyards. They would all go back up the mountain on Fridays for the weekend.
Then they departured and the weddings of both sets of grandparents in America, where the one of her paternal grandparents was arranged from Gorga. It was in this new world that Nancy and her parents were raised according to the American lifestyle but through the Italian traditions.
All of her grandparents and parents are now deceased but she keeps many traditions alive. The Pizza Rustica at Easter, the Frittelle or Zeppole on Christmas Eve, and the homemade sauce on Sundays.
Don’t mess with the whole family Sunday lunch!!
The cooking tools are among the few things brought from Gorga and the pasta board is her favorite when she makes her pasta for the generations of the Maiorani/Bondatti family.
Now with the web her activities and postings are done to remind everyone of her roots and to rebuild a group of Gorga descendants. A way to keep alive the bond between these two sides of the ocean.
It’s for this activity that, together with the mayor Andrea Lepri, and the council of Gorga we have awarded her the Town Ambassador Award for her town!
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