San Pedro’s harborfront welcomed a historic and emotional milestone today with the official ribbon-cutting of Piazza Miramare, the newest Italian piazza in America and a lasting tribute to the vibrant Italian-American roots that helped shape the Los Angeles community.
The inauguration ceremony brought together prominent civic leaders, cultural representatives, and members of the Italian-American community in a celebration rich with heritage and pride.
Among the distinguished guests were representatives from Council District 15 and Councilmember Tim McOsker, Onorevole Christian Di Sanzo, Member of the Italian Parliament responsible for North and Central America, Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles Raffaella Valentini, LILAA President Mario Amalfitano, and former Councilmember Joe Buscaino, all of whom delivered heartfelt tributes honoring their Italian ancestry and the generations who built San Pedro’s Italian legacy.
San Pedro is home to the largest Italian-American Community in Southern California and it was only fitting that Piazza Miramare was opened here, in the heart of the Los Angeles Harbor that saw so many generations of Italian fishermen from Ischia and Sicily come and build a new life.
The ceremony also featured a presentation from Congresswoman Nanette Barragán’s office who awarded the Little Italy of Los Angeles Association (LILAA) a Certificate of Congressional Recognition to commemorate this important cultural achievement, The Office of Senator Laura Richardson and County Supervisor Janice Hahn, a longtime supporter of LILAA, also joined in recognizing with a Proclamation the significance of the new piazza for the broader community.
The National Anthems of both Italy and the United States were beautifully performed by Elle Moody and Gabriel Quintero of Opera Italia Los Angeles, adding a moving element to the celebration.
A centerpiece of Piazza Miramare is the newly unveiled Fontana dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s Fountain), a tribute to the many generations of Italian fishermen who settled in San Pedro and played a vital role in the economic and cultural development of the city. The fountain stands as a symbol of their hard work and sacrifices and enshrines the enduring connection between San Pedro and its Italian maritime heritage.
“This day marks a new chapter in the story of Italian Americans in Los Angeles,” said Anna Manunza, LILAA’s Cultural Affairs Ambassador and Events Committee Chair. “Piazza Miramare will be a place to meet, gather, talk, sing, and celebrate all that is Italian. We look forward to hosting many events here and sharing our culture with the local community in the true spirit of Italian hospitality.”
Piazza Miramare now stands not only as a physical landmark, but as a cultural heart, a space designed to preserve heritage, foster connection, and keep Italian traditions alive for generations to come.
