Delaware delegation visits Sister City in Tuscany

Mayor Paolo Sottani (left) greets Rick DeLiberto.

Members of the Delaware Commission on Italian Heritage and Culture were invited to Greve-in-Chianti, Italy, by Mayor Paolo Sottani to celebrate Verrazzano Day on April 17, and to re-dedicate the Delaware “Garden of the Navigators” located in that Sister City. This “American-style” garden was first constructed in 2012.  It is dedicated to the navigators who explored the Atlantic Coast in the 16th century and to the friendship developed between Rehoboth Beach and Greve since the signing of the Sister Cities agreement in 2010.

Located in the center of this garden is a monument flanked by two large flagpoles flying the banners of Italy and the United States. With the newly installed lighting, passers-by will be able to view the garden at night as they travel the inner road from Florence to Siena.

Members of the Rehoboth Beach Sister Cities Association were also honored guests at business meetings with government officials and at featured tours of local terra cotta factories, olive oil production, wineries and other possible venues of economic development.

While in Greve the delegation also attended a series of lectures on the history of the area and made an official visit to the U.S. Consul General in Florence, Abigail Rupp.