Famiglia di Italia:In the region of Lombardia, in the rich soil of Valtellina e Valchiavenna at the foot of the Italian Alps, the Italian branch of our family took root. In the high valleys of the province of Sondrio sit two small towns only a few kilometers apart —Piantedo, and Gordona, the birthplaces of Nonno and Nonni. Piantedo is in the bottom (bassa region) of the Valtellina Its origins date back to 1530. The town takes its name from “oplantedumo” because of the many chestnut trees which grow in the region. The inhabitants of the town can trace their origins back to three different families. In the 1500’s the town served as a buffer between the Dukedome of Milan and the Grigioni of Valtellina. The region has relied on agriculture and livestock for its mainstay. Each family had its own vineyard and produced its own wine. Nonno brought this skill and tradition with him to America, crushing grapes, making wine and aging it in oak barrels and bottling it in his basement. Today vineyards still cover the hillsides. Wine and salami production remain the major industries in Piantedo.

Religion, Art and Culture of Piantedo

This region is also the most Catholic part of Italy with the highest percentage of churchgoers in all the country. Piantedo has more churches per capita than anywhere else in Europe. St Maria Nascente, the church where Nonno was baptized is one of the town’s most famous and is filled with some remarkable Italian art. On of the prized works is “Vergine Alata” (The Virgin with Wings)

This small community’s artistic talent is seen in the religious art of its churches and bell towers. From the road one sees the high bell tower of the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Thanksgiving and the Suffragio. The building is encircled by trees and has a small capuchin monastery . Over the great altar is a 14th century fresco representing The Madonna with Wisdom. Another painting over the altar is by local painter, Eliseo Fumagalli (1937).. In Piantedo the bell tower of the parochial church is clearly visible. It was erected in 1673 and the elegant green door added in 1766. Above the door is a carving of the Blessed Trinity and some fragments of other figures that go back to the 15th century.

“Madonna in trono” (the Virgin Mary on the throne), a thirteenth century fresco in Verdione di Piantedo.

Piantedo as it was when this postcard was written. 1940’s

This is a picture of our great-grandmother Maria (center) and Uncle Giacomo (far right). This same view of Piantedo can be seen today and very little has changed except for the dress of the people.

Piantedo today