Let’s talk about hometowns: Boscotrecase, Italy

Capitals, cities, towns, villages, neighbourhoods. We all come from somewhere and it’s time to meet each others’ hometowns and who knows, we might put some new places that we have never heard of on our bucket list! In this post, we hear from Emilia about her hometown of Boscotrecase, near Naples in Italy.

1. Who are you, how long have you been living in the Netherlands and why did you move here?

My name is Emilia Sorrentino, I am Italian and I work for a humanitarian aid and international development organisation. I have been living in the Netherlands since 2019. I moved here for work related reasons.

2. What’s your hometown and where is it? Where you born there? How long have you lived there?

My hometown is called Boscotrecase, located about 20 km southeast of Naples. It is a very small town at the foot of Vesuvius, one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. I was born and lived there for nearly 25 years.

3. Is it a big city or a small town? What is the population? How far is it from the main city/capital?

It is a small town 20 km from Naples, with around 10,000 inhabitants.

4. What are some things in Boscotrecase that are part of history? Is it famous for anything?

Boscotrecase was home to many villas and farmhouses. One of these villas, the Augustan Villa, was owned by Agrippa, general and right-hand man of Emperor Augustus, and his wife Julia. In 79 AD, an eruption from Vesuvius buried the Villa of Agrippa Postumus. The villa is best known for its ancient Roman works of art, especially its frescoes. The frescoes come from various cubicula or bedrooms that served as places of sociability and business, along the villa’s southern hallway that overlooks the bay of Naples. The frescoes that were excavated are now shared between the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. Boscostrecase is also famous for its vineyards and for the Vesuvius National Park.

5. What is your favourite season in Boscotrecase and why?

My favourite season is spring because of the colours and the mild weather, but I also love autumn because it is the grape harvest season.

6. What is the happiest memory you have from your hometown?

The grape harvest season, the olive picking and those traditional dance parties in the Masserias (old farm houses).

7. Do you miss Boscotrecase? What do you miss the most?

I miss the flavours and the taste of the food. I miss the land around my family house and the Vesuvius of course.

8. What do you like most about your hometown? What would you like to change about it?

I like it because it is small and quiet, but very close to Naples, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. If I had to change something, it would be the people and I would make them a little more open-minded…

9. Do you think you will return to live there one day? Why or why not?

Maybe I will return one day, as an elderly person probably. Mostly because it is a quiet place and my family lives there.

10. How often do you visit your hometown and how do you spend your days there?

I visit Boscotrecase quite often, 3–4 times per year. I mostly spend my days with my family and friends.

11. What are the main attractions in Boscotrecase and what would be your personal recommendations?

I would definitely recommend to climb to the summit of the volcano and follow the hiking trails in the National Park.

12. What are the main traditions, festivals, traditional food and drink of your hometown?

Wine is the answer! We do not have any festivals.

13. Do you find any similarities with Haarlem and Boscotrecase? What is the biggest difference between them?

Haarlem and Boscotrecase are very different and that’s what I like about it!

Thank you Emilia for introducing us to your lovely south-Italian hometown!

Thank you Monique for introducing us to your lovely Canadian city!

Read about the other hometowns we traveled to: 🇨🇦 Vancouver, 🇧🇲 Bermuda, 🇧🇷 Fortaleza.
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We are looking forward to hearing about other expats’ hometowns! Just go to our questionnaire copy and paste the questions, fill in your answers and submit them via Facebook Messenger or by sending an email to info@expatshaarlem.nl. If you also wish to share some photos of you and/or your hometown, please do so!

The idea is for expatsHaarlem readers to get involved and share insights about their hometowns