From Castelmezzano to New York – Here is the True Story of Skyscrapers by Enza Martoccia • La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno • 13 April 2023
PROJECT: The mayor of Castelmezzano Nicola Valluzzi announces the creation of a museum that will tell the world the story of the builders of skyscrapers in New York.
America in Castelmezzano and Castelmezzano in America. A new adventure begins: with these words the mayor of Castelmezzano, Nicola Valluzzi, announces the creation of an Interactive Museum that will tell the world the story of the builders of skyscrapers in New York, who left Castelmezzano at the end of the 1800s and introduced important constructive and architectural features in a city that was rapidly transforming. This is possible thanks to the funding of the project “Human Re-Generation Between Ancestral Rites and Experiential Attractors,” proposed by the municipalities of Pietrapertosa, Castelmezzano and Accettura as part of Line B – PNRR Tender (Intervention 2.1 Attractiveness of the Villages) promoted by the Ministry of Culture for a total of 2 million 560 thousand euros.
“One of the 229 projects financed throughout Italy – explains Valluzzi – the second for the highest score obtained in the evaluation of the examining commission is that of Castelmezzano. The interactive museum will be built in a recently reconstructed municipal building. It will tell the story of the Paterno and Campagna families, who built 164 skyscrapers between 1898 and 1964 (1), changing the skyline of Manhattan.”
In recent days, the scientific committee of the project met among the protagonists the Lucan journalist, Renato Cantore, author of the book “Castle on the Hudson” conductor of in-depth studies on the life and works of these families and Alberto Baldi, professor of visual ethnography at the Federico II University of Naples, author of “Emigrant Filmmakers. Successful Directions.”
Partners of the initiative are the Federico II University and the Academy of Fine Arts of Naples, among the other protagonists of this qualified team there will be young digital artists of great international fame. The goal is to catapult the visitor into a virtual journey inside the museum and with the help of new technologies such as augmented reality, 3D and video mapping, it will be possible to take a tour of early 20th century New York and visit the inside of the only castle ever built in the Big Apple (2) and some of the ingenious constructions created by these visionaries from Castelmezzano. After this preliminary meeting between partners and digital artists, the design phase was started, and the project will be completed by the summer executive project and immediately afterwards we will proceed with the tenders. Thanks to the engaging power of new technologies, unique immersive experiences will be offered to everyone.
Carla’s Notes:
(1) The Paterno Family built 164 total buildings (14 demolished) that consisted of 155 total apartment houses (8 demolished), 4 family homes (3 demolished), 1 castle (demolished), 1 garage (now condo), 1 theater (demolished), 1 university cultural center, and 1 tiny steel home between 1896 and 1964. PaternoArchitecture.com
(2) Another residential castle built in Manhattan was Woodcliff (aka Libbey) Castle which I believe provided inspiration for Dr. Charles V. Paterno’s castle.
Dear Marabella Family:
I am friends with Mary Faiella Turkus and her brother Francis “Frank” Faiella who are Paterno Family descendants, and I just left Castelmezzano after seeing the Palazzio Paterno and Palazzio Compagns, and enjoying that Jewel of the Dolomites. I’m curious as to how the Marabella Family intersects with this story: you are Paterno and/or Compagna decedents, too?
Cordially,
Jay L. Davis
Texas and Costa Rica
Hi Jay! Yes, My great-grandfather, Dr. Charles V. Paterno, was an older brother of Rose Paterno, Mary and Frank’s grandmother. So happy to hear that you visited Castelmezzano, the family homes, and the beautiful surrounding environment! We visited last September and loved it too! You can view our trip HERE. Thank you for your message!