Some days, disappointment and bewilderment emanate from the cars circling our iconic fountain and exiting town. It happens every year. Visitors to Pontelandolfo wanting to learn more about their ancestors hop back into cars having not seen, not heard or learned anything. COME BACK! DON’T GIVE UP!
As often happens, looking for help and information about his family, a Pontelandolfese from Connecticut texted me via Facebook. He said that the folks at Bar Elimar suggested he contact me. Sadly, I don’t have – nor will I ever – have notifications set up for Facebook Messenger. I saw the text later in the day. He was already gone. I hope he comes back.
I asked Giuditta and Marilina at Elimar Food about the researcher. They went off on a rant about people being screwed by false or terrible Pontelandolfo websites, our towns lack of tourism information and how sad it is that folks come for a few hours expecting to learn something and leave feeling it had been a waste of time. Apparently, this fellow came via a tour operator who didn’t do their research.
False websites? Did I hear that right? Could that be true? Cripes – artificial intelligence ain’t so intelligent.
I typed visit pontelandolfo in my Safari search bar and AI promptly spit out a blurb that makes our magical village sound – gulp- magical. Too bad it doesn’t tell you all you need to know. Though I must admit, I felt super proud to see this blog posted on the sidebar!
One can always explore the medieval center – that’s true and I think the tag line is one of mine. That means walk and look because there is nothing there to visit. The view over the valley, however, is spectacular. The historic tower is privately owned and not open to day-trippers. The beautiful Chiesa di San Salvatore is only open for mass on Sunday. You can always visit the small – not listed – historic chapel, San Rocco. Further down, AI lists dining at Landulphi – we loved this pub – loved being the appropriate word. It has been closed for years. The owner now has an upscale sushi restaurant on the piazza – that we adore – Tawā. I can’t complain about the urban trekking line. Quest for the Crests is my work and available. My point is, a point we all know – you can’t believe everything you read! You have to dig a little deeper.
Unearthed were other websites alleging they were Visit Pontelandolfo and steered readers to hotels, restaurants and events in other bigger towns. Has AI made it more difficult to unearth the truth????
Even the Rick Steves Community Forum offered misinformation about visiting Pontelandolfo. The Sorrento Review was better but hadn’t researched whether or not places were still or had ever been opened.
During an earlier administration, Visit Pontelandolfo was set up in two languages. It even had shared local recipes. A quick hop there showed it isn’t updated often. The FaceBook page is a wee bit better. (That reminds me I need to update the page Nonna’s Mulberry Tree has on visiting the village. I promise links are to real businesses.)
The town’s official website doesn’t really provide great information for visitors and it isn’t available in multiple languages. I typed “turismo” in the search bar and got bupkiss. Vivere Il Comune prompt yielded the monuments, the closed tower and churches. Wait – there is a way to get it in English. I tried the website again from google and the google translator asked if I wanted it in English.
That said, the official website is not all a waste of time. If you are searching your roots, YOU SHOULD USE THE WEBSITE AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT! Start with “contatta il comune – prenota appuntamento.” Make an appointment with the Ufficio Anagrafe e Stato Civile.
Dearest Pontelandolfese of the world, please plan on spending more than an afternoon in ancestors village. Spend three or four days. Stay at an agriturismo, like Borgo Cerquelle, and get a sense of the food, history and culture of our community. Go to mass at San Salvatore. I spent some time searching for the parish website – even asking folks. All I found was a facebook link, which does have a phone number. Use WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger and call. The next day, meet with the Ufficio Anagrafe or the church archivist and search the ancient records for your past.
Learn more about Pontelandolfo by checking out the Pontelandolfo News. It offers a wealth of background and history of the paese. Gulp, I can’t believe I am saying this but put Pontelandolfo in the YouTube search line and tons of stuff comes up. Enjoy watching a game of Ruzzola – cheese rolling.
Pontelandolfese are a friendly bunch, if you discover something interesting don’t be afraid to e-mail the place or person. There are so many translator apps it is easy peasy to write something and get it translated. Take the time before you buy the plane ticket and you will enjoy our village even more.
The best advice I ever heard was from genealogist Rich Venezia of Rich Roots Genealogy. If you want to know about your ancestral home, search the attic, talk to your aunts and uncles. Before you drive into Pizza Roma, talk to the elders in your family and find out all you can about those adventurers who left Pontelandolfo looking for a different life. Then, if you have someone in your family who has an Ancestry DNA subscription, ask them to send you the links to those cousins 4X removed no one ever contacts. Contact them. Gather more data. Check out the free Family Search and come to Pontelandolfo with as much background on your family as you can. Trust me. It is worth it.
Fifty-six years ago, I visited Pontelandolfo for the first time. Stared at shuttered buildings. Walked around for an hour. Got back in the car with my cousins and left town disappointed. Thirty one years ago, I found family in Pontelandolfo that no one on our side of the Atlantic knew existed. It started with the basest of family trees scratched in a notebook. We too entered Piazza Roma not knowing what to do, where to look or really who we were. With feeble Italian, talking to older folks in bars. Reading the funeral announcements posted on walls. Discovering where the Comune was. Boldly entering the building. Having an amazing visit to the Ufficio Anagrafe with time spent pouring over the ancient books. That activity started the Pontelandolfo phone chain and brought us incredible assistance. We found my father’s first cousins. That long tale is for another day.
Come prepared, make an appointment, spend some time here and buy me un caffè in the piazza. You won’t be disappointed.
Ci vediamo,
This September 19 – 26th we have two spots open for Cooking in the Kitchens of Pontelandolfo! This is a great way to learn, experience and be part of village life.
Nonna's Mulberry Tree 
A wealth of information here, Midge. I have been working
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