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Nicastrello is a ghost town situated in valley adjacent to Capistrano.
For centuries it was a prosperous centre with probably around five
hundred inhabitants who survived thanks an abundance of olive groves.
The past one hundred years the town gradually diminished in numbers.
It's people emigrated to various areas of the world and to nearby towns,
such as Capistrano. Several Capistranesi have ancestors who originate in
this lovely village. The last inhabitant, Mastro Nicola, moved to
Capistrano in the seventies and the town has been deserted ever since.
The only structure that is in relatively fine shape is the church which
hosts among others, the statues of two revered saints, San Filippo and
Saint Elena. Two holidays are still celebrated in Nicastrello to honor
these two saints. During these two events people from Capistrano and
other nearby towns flock to the ghost town to participate in
well-attended and popular processions. The two statues of the above
mentioned saints were deteriorating dramatically until restaurateur,
Pino La Serra, committed himself to bringing the statues to their
original beauty. You may see the process of restoration below. The rest
of the pictures take you on a tour through the ghost town as it looks
today. The pictures have been contributed by Pino La Serra. |
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