Bella Vista, Italian for “beautiful view,” is a neighborhood in Central Philadelphia. It extends from 6th Street to 11th Street and from South Street to Washington Avenue. This area was originally settled by Italian immigrants from Spadafora, Sicily. As more Italian immigrants arrived in Philadelphia, they tended to gravitate towards this neighborhood, making it the first true Italian American neighborhood in the city. The architecture of this area has ranged from Federal buildings, Colonial buildings, Victorian buildings, and post-Victorian buildings, some of which are still standing today complete with their original facades. The Palumbo Restaurant family, who also gave their name to the local park, built housing in this area for the many Italian immigrants who poured into the area in the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, the residents of this area founded the Italian Market, making it possibly the oldest open air market in the country. Today the area is still mostly populated by Italian Americans, but there has been a recent influx of Vietnamese and Mexican immigrants who are both residents and merchants. The neighborhood is also popular with artists and contains many independent galleries.
RESOURCES
Bella Vista United Civic Association
South Philly Review on Bella Vista
Bella Vista United Newsletter, "Bella Vista Life," Fall 2008
PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future