A little of  history and our philosophy

The cliff of Pentidattilo

It is one of the most picturesque and characteristic centers of Calabria, crouching at the feet of cyclopean cliff that resembles to a fantastic, enormous hand raised towards the sky.

The name comes from the Greek and it indicates the shape of the cliff, dominated by big pinnacles of pinkish stone, that stands between the river Annà and S. Elia.

It is visible taking the litoranea road SS106 towards Melito Porto Salvo, but one can also enjoy a splendid view from the road that takes to Moltebello Jonico.

The visit to Pentedattilo is a suggestive itinerary between history and nature, among narrow streets and landscapes that loose around the church in byzantine style devoted to the SS. Apostles Peter and Paul and to the rests of the manor of the Alberti.

Of Pentidattilo or Pentedattilo there exists testimony since 640 b.C. when it was founded by the Chalcidean; from that moment it became a flourishing center until the Roman period, and then it suffered decay in the Byzantine period, due to the continuous Saracen invasions.

Around 1336 the Pentedattilo castle was occupied by the Almogàveri, forefront of the Spanish army, for then becoming a barony under the Norman administration of the King Ruggero of Altavilla, with the regency of the Abenavoli.

With the passing of time and after different vicissitudes, the feud of Pentedattilo got into the hands of Monello Simone of the Alberti, with the title of Marchesato.

There were built different civilian works among which we should note the foundation of Melito Porto Salvo in 1667.

After some passionate reason, and perhaps of economic nature, in 1680 the family Abenavoli was wiped out.

Popular fantasy wants the pinkish stone towers to be a blooded hand that shouts for revenge.

The old village, for years left abandoned and inhabited, since 1994 is object of a respectful work of recovery and revitalization.