Pentedattilo

Pentedattilo is an ancient village located on the Ionian coast of Calabria, in the municipality of Melito di Porto Salvo, at the foot of the imposing mountain range that gives its name to the village. The name "Pentedactilo" derives from the characteristic shape of the mountain, which resembles a hand with five fingers, visible from the valley below. The country has very ancient origins, dating back to Greco-Roman times, and was an important inhabited centre until the 18th century.

Over the centuries, Pentedactylo has undergone numerous changes and periods of neglect, mainly due to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, and economic difficulties. The event that marked the decline of the country was the devastating earthquake of 1783, which caused the death of many inhabitants and the abandonment of most of the houses. The village has remained deserted for a long time, but in recent decades it has seen a revival thanks to the interest in cultural tourism and the enhancement of its architectural and natural heritage.

Today, Pentedactilo is a symbol of resilience, a place rich in history, art and tradition, which attracts visitors fascinated by its ruins, evocative alleys and legends that characterise its history. The local community and tourists contribute to keeping the memory of this fascinating corner of Calabria alive.

In 1686, the tragedy of the Alberti was consumed in Pentedactilo. The Marquis Lorenzo Alberti, after having married his sister Antonia to his brother-in-law Don Petrillo Cortez, opposed the marriage with Baron Bernardino Abenavoli del Franco, who secretly loved Antonia. Bernardino, with the help of the vassal Giuseppe Scrufari, breaks into the castle, kidnaps Antonia and kills Lorenzo, his mother Donna Maddalena, his brothers Simone and Anna, as well as three servants. The Principal of the Province sends the army, and Scrufari and other accomplices are executed. Bernardino flees to Malta, enlists in the Austrian army, but is recognised and denounced. Grazed for war merits, he died in battle in 1692. Antonia died in the same year in the monastery of Basicò in Messina.