He is aware that flying, in itself, is not enough to live on. This is why he is building a small accommodation facility, a bed and breakfast at the entrance to Albe. “It’s a job that has totally absorbed me, because not everyone knows how to do stonework properly and you have to be careful with somewhat botched restorations”. The building he shows us was built using Roman stone and ashlars. It was known as ‘The Lady’s house’, one of the first buildings one sees when coming up to the village. Thanks to the Sisma Bonus, the state incentives granted by the state to those impacted by an earthquake, Giose managed to obtain funds amounting to €70,000 out of the €185,000 he spent. “When, during building activities, a one-metre wide wall on which the building was resting was discovered, in agreement with the Superintendency I performed a Shovel Test Pit until I found the actual basement two metres below, in a 70 cm by 120 cm hole,” he recounts.

Although Giose’s Degree certificate “is rolled up in a drawer”, Cultural Heritage is one of the many passions he is now reviving, not only by getting involved in the renovation of the building that will house his bed and breakfast (which will also be accessible to people with disabilities): “It was only thanks to my Degree that I was able to qualify as a tour guide”, he says. A qualification that, obviously, goes hand in hand with his flying licence and the Food and Beverage License he will need to open the b&b. “I will be able to offer customers an all-round experience, managing every activity: from transport to hospitality, all the way to introducing those who wish to do so to flying”. For the time being, Giose Ciccarelli also works as a skilled worker in a company in Avezzano. But he wants to move back to Albe. When he finally does, he will resume the thread of history – his personal one and, deeply intertwined with it, the far longer history of the stones on which the town was built.