The bell tower at Our Lady of the Rosary rises above the surrounding buildings, topped with a distinctively pointed, tiled cupola. Italian fishermen founded this church in nineteen twenty-five, wanting a place to practice their faith in…
Little Italy Heritage
This neighborhood stroll traces the evolution of Little Italy from a tight-knit tuna-fishing enclave to a thriving culinary hub, highlighting its historic church, lively plazas, and family-owned markets.
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1. Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church
2. Amici Park
Amici Park features a vibrant, multi-colored bocce ball court framed by low concrete walls and shaded by mature trees. It sits on the site of a former school playground, serving as a social anchor for the descendants of the tuna fishermen…
3. Piazza della Famiglia
The Piazza della Famiglia is a cobblestone plaza stretching between India and Columbia streets. It occupies the space where a private alley once sat, acting as the front porch for the neighborhood. In two thousand eighteen, city planners…
4. Little Italy Street Sign
The Little Italy street sign stands on a tall, black metal pole, topped with a decorative archway that features the neighborhood name in crisp, white letters. It serves as the gateway to a district once dominated by the tuna fishing…
5. Filippi's Pizza Grotto Little Italy
The front door of Filippi's Pizza Grotto sits tucked behind a grocery store shelf packed with imported pastas, olive oils, and cured meats. Vincenzo DePhilippis and his wife Giuliana opened this shop in nineteen fifty to supply the local…
6. Piazza Basilone
Piazza Basilone features a bronze statue of a man in full combat gear, his hand resting on a heavy machine gun. This small park honors John Basilone, a local son who became the only enlisted Marine to receive both the Medal of Honor and…
7. Mona Lisa Italian Foods
Mona Lisa Italian Foods features a hand-painted mural of the Mona Lisa on its front wall, staring out toward India Street. The shop began in nineteen fifty-five as a small deli for local residents to buy imported cheeses and cured meats.…