Federal Hill and DePasquale Square, Providence (must see)

Federal Hill has roots that reach far beyond its Italian American identity. Indigenous people called the rise Nocabulabet, often translated as “land above the river” or “land between the ancient waters.” Its present name is linked to an unusual political episode in 1788, when anti-federalists held an ox roast to celebrate Rhode Island’s refusal to ratify the U.S. Constitution. A large federalist crowd broke up the gathering, and the area later became known as Federal Hill.

Italian immigrants began settling here in large numbers during the late 19th century, establishing churches, social clubs, bakeries, markets, and family businesses. A gateway arch now marks the entrance, with La Pigna, a large pine cone symbolizing welcome and abundance, suspended above it. Long-running restaurants reflect this heritage, including Angelo’s Civita Farnese, founded in 1924 and remembered for keeping meals affordable for working families during the Great Depression.

The district remains known for Italian bread, pasta, cheeses, pastries, and espresso, but its food scene has grown more diverse. Visitors can also find Japanese, Mexican, Lebanese, Indian, and other international cuisines. The nearby Columbus Theatre, opened in 1926 as a vaudeville and movie house, adds another cultural layer to the area.

DePasquale Square forms the neighborhood’s main pedestrian gathering place. Its quatrefoil fountain is surrounded by restaurant seating, brick façades, balconies, murals, and overhead lights. The adjoining Cappelli Block dates to 1909 and recalls early Italian entrepreneurship. Narrow cross streets, many converted to one-way traffic because they predate automobiles, and occasional surviving cobblestone surfaces preserve traces of the district’s older urban layout in several quieter corners near the square.