Bella Vista, which in Italian means “beautiful sight,” gets its name from the picturesque Philly skyline that can easily be seen from the community. Southwark is commonly referred to as Queen Village.

Together, the Bella Vista-Southwark community lies two miles southeast of Downtown Philadelphia, and encompasses many blocks between two of its liveliest commercial roads: South Street and Washington Avenue.

Old-world Italian influences play a major role in the charm of the community, and remains one of the main attractions to the area. Visitors and residents alike look forward to spending a couple of hours at the 9th Street Italian Market, where rich aromas of strong espresso, fresh seafood, and homemade pastas fill the room. Every year, a festival in honor of the market is held and features family-friendly entertainment and of course, delicious foods and treats!

In addition to housing one of the original open-air markets in the U.S.