PENTEDATTILO
Pentedattilo is situated in a panoramic
position in the province of Reggio Calabria, not too far from
the sea on the stratum of Mount Calvario. It is an evocative
suburb which forms part of the Grecanica area of Calabria.
History
The suburb derives its name from the Byzantine word Pentedáktilos,
meaning five fingers. This refers to the characteristic morphology
of the profile of Mount Calvary, on which the suburb lays.
Today, some of the “fingers” have crumbled but
one can still imagine its original form.
It seems that the centre has ancient origins, being founded
during the VII century BC by Calcidesi colonies arriving from
Greece.
The centre was also active during Roman domination, possibly
as a military garrison positioned towards the internal areas
of Calabria.
Pentedattilo bloomed once more between the XII and XIV centuries,
a period when it belonged to the nobiliary, namely the Alberti
family.
Here, on the night of 16th April 1686, the famous Strage of
Alberti happened: the two families, Alberti and Abenavoli,
who for years had been in dispute over the fief, were the
main participants of an amorous and political plot, which
developed into the massacre of the Alberti family by the hands
of Baron Bernardino Abenavoli. The reason was jealousy over
the engagement of his beloved Antonietta Alberti to the son
of the Viceroy, Don Petrillo Cortez; who had arrived from
Pentedattilo to attend the marriage of his sister to Lorenzo
Alberti.
In a wild impetus, almost all the Alberti family were massacred
and the survivors were taken by Bernardino to his castle in
Montebello Ionico. Don Petrillo Cortez was taken hostage and
the beloved Antonietta was forced into marriage in San Nicola
Church on 19th April 1686. The Viceroy, on hearing the news,
disembarked in Calabria and returned the favour with the massacre
of the Abenavoli family, which liberated his son and confined
Antonietta to a convent for the rest of her life.
An earthquake gravely damaged the centre in 1783.
A visit to the City
The suburb has a strong evocative charge and in the wings,
preserves the Castle remains and the SS Pietro and Paolo Church,
which preserves the Alberti family tomb.
One should also visit the Candelora Church and the remains
of the nearby Domenican Convent.
The suburb offers wonderful panoramic views as far as the
Jonio Sea and a good viatico to allow one to reach the Aspromonte
National Park.
Place of interest
- Borgo antico
- Chiesetta di San Pietro e Paolo
- Resti del Castello
- Chiesa della Candelora
- Resti del Convento Domenicano
- Visita di Motta San Giovanni
- Visita di Bova
- Parco Nazionale dell'Aspromonte
Museums
- Nessun Museo segnalato
Events
- Festival grecanico Paleariza in estate
- Pentedattilo film festival in agosto
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