Acri in Calabria
and its history of violence
Acri in Calabria is sometimes described as the ‘door to Silas’, yet the town appears impenetrable which could be due to a long history of violence.
With a population of only 21.000 people – same size as Castrovillari – it should be possible to get a fast impression of the Acri in Calabria, but serpentine roads connecting four neighbourhoods scattered over several hilltops, left me exhausted and confused. We ended up getting lost between the church of the blessed angle and the piazza dedicated to the local hero of the Italian unification, Vincenzo Sprovieri.
It’s easy to get lost in Acri.
International aspirations
Most of the houses are less than 50 years old, designed by DIY architects, while the buildings were being erected. Decay seeps in with crumbling stones and peeling plaster or is kept at bay with fresh paint in bright colours. And international aspirations manifest themselves in shops with such names as ‘Hair’s Art’, ‘Old Movie’ and ‘Las Vegas’. Nothing reveals that Acri is a very old city tracing its origin back to the Bronze Age.
Prosperity and war
But then again a lot has happened over the past 3.000 years. In the Middle Ages, during the reign of Federico II, Acri enjoyed a period of relative peace and economic prosperity, and it became an important centre for the silk trade.
In the 15th century, the power struggle between the French House of Anjou and the Spanish Crown of Aragon nearly destroyed the town. In 1462, a local duke obtained permission from the Aragonese King Ferdinand I of Naples to collect taxes in Acri. When people protested and proclaimed loyalty to the former Angevin rulers, they were seized by troops from the Aragonese army.
Even at that time, Acri must have seemed impenetrable to outsiders, for the Spanish soldiers failed to take the city, until they found a traitor who revealed the secret signals that opened the city gates. The soldiers attacked Acri with incredible cruelty, and it is estimated that 2000 citizens lost their lives. Women and children who had taken refuge in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore were burned to death, and the leader of the guards was publicly sawed in four pieces while still alive, and the limbs were exposed from the four towers of the castle.
Such history of violence is in stark contrast to the quiet peace, we experienced on our visit to Acri. But the ruins of the old castle with its one remaining tower still hover over the city as a reminder of times gone by.
The peaceful centre of Acri
Mette, how fascinating. I just love learning about these beautiful old places and their own unique histories. I must ask – do you ever stop traveling? It seems you are always on the move.Thanks!
The advantage of my exclusive focus on Italy is that the distances are not that great, which means you can cover a lot of ground in a relatively short time. Besides we’ve been doing this for years, so the descriptions are accumulated recollections. So no, we’re not nearly always on the move:)
How can I find relatives of Nunciata Romana Molinari?
I’m not sure about the validity of this site –
see http://www.cognomix.it/emigrati.php – but you might give it a try.
Hi Ed – Are your ancestors Molinaris? My family comes from Acri and emigrated to the United States. My great grandfather was Antonio Mariano Molinari. Email me tonimolinari@hotmail.com
Hi, nice article, really interesting. I recently found out that my great-great-grandfather was born in Acri in 1852. I’d like to know how can I find his birth and marriage records, for I want to get my Italian citzenship. Could you please give some clues? Thanks a lot!
Hi Pablo, As I understand it, you have to descend directly from an Italian citizen in order to obtain citizenship – see https://www.filodiritto.com/articoli/2013/02/cittadinanza-e-residenza-dello-straniero-di-discendenza-italiana/. This means that you great-grandfather and then your grand father and then your father should apply and be granted citizenship first, before you can apply. The commune in which your great great grandfather was born should be able to provide a copi of the birth certificate. Good luck:)
My great grandmother on my mother’s side was Mary Frances De Bartoli her father Angelo De Bartoli was born in Acri Cosenza Calabria Italy. I heard she was of a noble family from my relatives even my mother. Then Angevins were not around during the 1400s, but they were still loyal interesting. I am of Anglo-Norman descent from my paternal line, so they were still loyal to the Normans?
Pablo –
Greetings…I have an Angela Lupinacci in my heritage (like 6x great grandma-ish I would need to count…born in the late 1700’s)…if you find a link, let me know. Both of my paternal grandparents emigrated to the US from Acri, so I have some pretty deep roots there. I would love to take a trip someday.
Anyway, I saw the Lupinacci name here, and thought I would drop the note. (I doubt we would have a discernable DNA link, at least from that lineage, but have you done one? I’m curious!)
–David Morrone
you were so near to the gost district of picitti…
Wow. How can I have missed this? I really must make another trip to Acri to check this out. Thank you so much for the tip.
Not many people know of the piccitti.. I used to visit every summer . My grandparents lived there and my sisters and I inherited the house there from my parents ..
Hi Angelo, My grandmother and her father were born in the Picitti district as well. I’ve never been to the area, hopefully I can make a trip to visit someday with my 2 cousins as we have always wanted to see where our grandparents came from. We have ancestors from other sections of Acri as well. My grandmothers maiden name was Pignataro.
My father was connected somehow to the Pignataro’s and I believe his Mother was a Cofone? Any information on these 2 last names would maybe help connect some links to my family history. He came to the United States from Acri, Italy around 1914. Thanks
I really hope the comments here can help some of you to new discoveries about your family history.
My family roots trace to Acri. My grandfather came to the US in the early 1900s. I still have family there but no idea how to contact them
I just tried searching on your last name in the telephone directory for Acri (see https://www.paginebianche.it) and it came up with something like 110 hits. You might reach out to one of those, as they are probably related.
I am an Acri from Acri.. My grandfather changed the spelling to be more American (Akrey) in order to get work. I love this stuff.. haha
Steve
Where are you located
Hi Steve, my 4X great grandmother was Anna Cofone, born in 1805 in Acri. Are we related?
Hi I’m traveling to Acri 06/16/2019. My mothers parents immigrated to Westerly RI in early 1900. Angelo Perrone and Annunziata Marchese. My mother who is 87 is traveling with us, she wanted to see where her parents came from.
Hi Paula, We are related! Those ancestors are in my tree as well. How was your trip!?
Hi Paula, my grandfather also immigrated from Acri to Westerly RI in the 1900. Frank C Barone born 1886.
My family also immigrated to Westerly. It’s my understanding that many Italians immigrated from Acri to Westerly. Our family names are Pignataro and Sposato.
Hello Dianna,
Hello cousin Sposato! I’m on ancestry and wondering if you are or have a family tree?
Thank you,
Anthony Sposato
Father Anthony
Grandfather Fiorendino
Great grandfather Biagio
That’s as far back on my fathers side
Hello Mette
I am Gennaro and I am from Acri and I read your article, I liked it a lot for how you put a lot of detail in it, but I am disappointed that it doesn’t seem that you entered the histotric neighborhoods like: Padia, Casalicchio, Picciti and Cappucini. I’ve seen that many peapole is interested to know more about Acri and their origins. If you are (or someone else) want to discover more about the city I can help you visit Acri and discover more about their family.
Gennaro soy de Argentina mi bisabuelo es de Acri hermoso lugar y muy tranquilo lindas historias me han contado
Hello Gennaro,
Do you still live in Acri?
I will be visiting in April, 2022
My great grandparents came from Acri. Great grandfather was leonard montalto and great grandma was Rosalia Sorrentino. They came to the U.S in early 1900’s and settled in NYC and had 10 kids( God bless). I plan on visiting sometime in the near future to see where my family roots began.
It must be fascinating to be able to trace your family history to a specific place so far away.
They probably came with my family.
My husband Carl Napolitano, grandmother Marie Pignatore, was born in Acri. Does anyone have any information regarding his family? I wanted to surprise him. We will be taking a trip to Italy in the future, once thus Covid-19 has settled down.
My name is Francis Greg Akrey, when my grandfather came to America from Acri he changed the spelling from Acri to Akrey to be more American in order to gain work. I will check with family to see about your relative’s.
My grandmother was Carmela Pingetore – I think the spelling was changed. She was born around 1895 and married my great grandfather Antonio Mariano Molinari. Her family emigrated to Thompson, CT. They were married in Worcester, MA.
My grandmother was Carmela Pingetore – I think the spelling was changed. She was born around 1895 and married my great grandfather Antonio Mariano Molinari. Her family emigrated to Thompson, CT. They were married in Worcester, MA.
My grandfather’s mother was named Maria Acri, or at least I think that was her last name. She would have been born in the 1870s, probably. Most of my family members on my father’s side came from Cosenza, Calabria, Italy. I cannot find any information on Maria. If she immigrated to the United States, could they have recorded her name as Maria from Acri? Since the last name is Acri, could she have been from Acri?
Both my parents were from Acri. My Dad came to the US in the early 1900’s, my Mom came here in 1937. I would love to know if I still have relatives there. My Moms maiden name was Servidio, her Moms maiden name was Mustico. Maybe someone out there can help me out with this. Thank you
I visited Acri many years ago. My grandparents were born there. Their names were Groccia and Basile.
My family goes back a LONG way in Acri. Poppa and Nanny came to NY early 1900’s. Plan on visiting some day! Some last names I’ve found through are Rosa, Pavano, Naccarato & Longobardi, all from Acri (there’s more – just need my notes to remember them all!)
I will be visiting Acri in April, 2022. My grandparents were born there, last names Altomari and Zicarro
Hi Debi, My great-great grandmother was Aqualina Altomare. She married Antonio Mariano Molinari. I am interested in your experience when you visited.
My maternal Grandparents were both from Acri, My Grandmothers maiden name was Antionette Montalto. My Grandfathers name was Michael Sposato. They both iimmigrated to the US in the early 1900’s. Im sure I still have relatives there but have no idea how to find them
My grandfather’s name is Michael Sposato also. He was from Westerly RI, but family immigrated from Acri. I’m not sure if he was born in the US or Italy. He passed away some time ago.
My Grandfathers name was Michael Sposato too. He was born In Acri in the late 1800’s. He migrated to the US in the around 1920. He originally lived on Canal St NY, NY then moved to White Plains NY. I wonder if we are related ??
Sorry I read thru this quickly and didnt realize you were responding to me LOL Anyway i wonder if we are related ?? Our Grandfathers could have been cousins ??
Great article- My great grandfather Fortunato Acri came over to the USA with my great grandmother Ursula- what is the best way to research my family history in Acri (same last name as the town)? Thanks
hello. my grandfather’s family after arriving in north America changed their name from Acri to Akrey. couple of family went to Canada, some USA. let me know if I can help as I have a few resources.
My grandparents came to America from Acri as well. Santo Capalbo and Maria Longobucco Capalbo. They had 5 children, 3 who made the journey and one who stayed in Italy at 16 yrs old to marry, her name was Florence. My mom was born in the US after they arrived. I’m sure I have relatives there but none of us ever made it out there to visit
My mom’s mother came from Acri. Her name was Sylvia Acri and her father was Salvatore Acri, mother, Filomena Magnelli. Salvatore’s parents were Antonio Acri and Orsala Maria Gaudio. I have not been to Acri, but appreciated reading the about the tumultuous hx. Salvatore and Filomena bought land In Enola,PA. And were able to sustain a lucrative business and family farm during the depression. The land was sold to the township and is currently called Acri Meadows.
Wonderful story of how people mark places and vice versa.