The Italian Village, Walking Tour

Greenwich Village isn’t just about artists, writers, and Bohemians. For almost 150 years, a vibrant Italian-American community has existed on the neighborhood’s southern edge. Starting in Washington Square Park, Marc Catapano will explore the history and cultural legacy of the “Italian Village,” visiting such landmarks as Our Lady of Pompei and St Anthony of Padua, plus sites associated with the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.

Learn about notable Italian-American locals, such as Gregory Corso, poet and one of the youngest members of the Beat Generation; Diane DiPrima, poet and activist; and mobster Crazy Joey Gallo, "beatnik gangster" and the subject of a Bob Dylan song. And take a dive into the rich Italian culinary legacy, from coffee houses and pizzerias, to bakeries and grocers.

Starting location: Under the Washington Square Arch, Fifth Avenue/Washington Square North

Marc Catapano is a Licensed NYC Sightseeing Guide, active member of the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC), and the proprietor behind Flowers in the Concrete Walking Tours. Born and raised in New York, Marc has spent years roaming the city’s streets, uncovering its secrets and sharing them with friends and visitors.

Marc’s career includes writing and editing for Interview Magazine and Starlog Press, producing for MTV, award-winning scriptwriting for Nickelodeon, and freelance work for Oxygen Media and Discovery Networks. He was Vice-President of video content for Steve Van Zandt’s Renegade Media and even had a spell as a stand-up comedian. Marc’s tours—Beatnik Greenwich Village, East Village Underground, and Greenwich Village A Go Go—blend his creative talents with his passion for New York’s history and culture, offering a unique and engaging experience for all.

[Image: Italo-American Celebration in Washington Square, 1912. Painting by William Glackens]