A remarkable connection across continents: in Kentucky, an Italian American entrepreneur has recreated a near-identical replica of Scanno’s historic Palazzo Di Rienzo — while his daughter married in the very Italian village where her family roots began.

Phil Tarullo, whose family hails from Scanno in Abruzzo, commissioned a detailed architectural copy of the local landmark in Louisville, Kentucky. Inspired by an old photograph, he asked his trusted architect to mirror the original building’s elegant marble columns and carved wooden doors as a tribute to his grandparents and heritage.

The story behind the “twin house” came to light during a family wedding. Tarullo’s daughter Elena, who lives in Kentucky, wed Mirza, a Bosnian native. The couple chose Scanno—nestled near Abruzzo’s national park—as the heart of their celebration to honor both sides of their ancestry. Elena wore a traditional Scanno bridal ensemble: white silk ribbons trailing from a lace-adorned cap (“cappellitto”) and a finely embroidered mantèra decorated with golden threads and vintage bobbin lace crafted by a relative in the 1940s.

As they walked Scanno’s winding alleys—famous in photographs by Cartier-Bresson and Giacomelli—the bride and groom delighted locals and tourists alike. Many stopped for selfies, impressed by Elena’s faithful and graceful homage to tradition. The route included a poignant pause at her grandparents’ former home, followed by a multicultural reception filled with Scanno folk songs, Italian classics like "Nel blu dipinto di blu," and lively American tunes.

Elena’s return in traditional dress carried special meaning: a few days earlier, one of the last village women still wearing that attire had passed away, and her gesture touched the hearts of Scanno's residents deeply.

After the festivities in Italy, the couple and their Kentucky family traveled on to Bosnia to continue celebrating near Mirza’s roots. This cross-continental event brought together three communities in a memorable tribute to identity, heritage, and enduring family ties.