It was an emotional experience, full of unexpected encounters, transformed family homes and memories finally brought to life.
The moment Colagrossi stepped into the small church of San Bartolomeo in Galdo, in the province of Benevento, words weren’t needed. She knew immediately that this was where her grandparents got married over seventy years ago. As she looked around at the wooden pews, the altar, the quiet nave, and felt a deep sense of belonging, even though she had never been there before. It was the first of many scattered pieces she and her family would put back together during their road trip.
“This wasn’t our first trip to Italy,” Colagrossi explains, “But this time, we wanted to see with our own eyes the towns where my parents and grandparents were born and raised, before they emigrated to Australia. We wanted to understand where we come from.”
Born and raised in Adelaide, Colagrossi has always felt a strong connection to her Italian heritage, especially her roots in Campania.
The journey took them to three key locations: San Bartolomeo in Galdo, Molinara and Lucera. They travelled by car, staying in Molinara with relatives and alternating between visiting significant sites in the family’s lore and spending time with extended family. “In Lucera, we met my grandmother’s sister,” Colagrossi reveals, “It was incredible to finally see her in person after hearing about her my whole life. Meeting the rest of the family there was also deeply moving.”
Jessica Colagrossi in front of the church in San Bartolomeo in Galdo, where her grandparents got married
The trip was filled with joy and reconnection, but also with moments of deep reflection, such as visiting the cemetery in San Bartolomeo, where Colagrossi’s grandmother’s baby boy, who died at just nine months old, is buried. “It was an intense moment. Thinking about how my grandparents had to leave him behind when they moved to Australia ... I can’t even imagine the pain,” she says.
Some places had changed dramatically, like the house where Colagrossi’s mother lived before emigrating. Now, it’s a lively pizzeria with outdoor seating, rebuilt after the 1962 earthquake. “It was beautiful to see it still part of the town, alive in a different way.”
Faith also played a role in the journey. A stop in San Giovanni Rotondo to visit the sanctuary of Padre Pio was a tribute to Colagrossi’s grandparents, who, like many Italian immigrants in Australia, kept his image in their home.
Behind the scenes, Antonietta Marchitto, an Italea coordinator and international lawyer with personal ties to Colagrossi, was instrumental in shaping the itinerary. A native of Molise with years of experience in both Italy and Australia, Marchitto helped translate Colagrossi’s wishes into a meaningful journey.
“Antonietta was amazing,” says Colagrossi, “She took care of every detail and made sure we saw everything that mattered. I’d love to come back one day and maybe even buy my grandparents’ old house.
“Antonietta could help with that too; she knows Italian property law and can assist anyone interested in relocating or doing genealogical research. She’s an incredible resource for those of us with Italian roots.”
Jessica Colagrossi and her daughter outside the house where her nonna grew up
Back in Australia, Colagrossi brought home much more than a collection of photographs. She returned with a renewed sense of identity and an understanding that she belongs to a larger story of migration, resilience and enduring connection. It’s a story that lives on, even at a distance, through family rituals and traditions.
“Sure, we don’t hear as much Italian spoken now that my grandparents are gone, but the culture is still strong,” she explains, “We make wine, olives, tomato sauce and sausages at home. And we come together as a big family for Easter and Christmas. We do our best to keep those traditions alive.”
Italy, once just a symbol of heritage and memory, now feels like something more - maybe even a place to call home, if only for a few months at a time.
