Polistena (Calabrian Greek: Πολυξένη, romanizedPolyxénē, or Πολυσθένη Polysthénē) is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 70 kilometres (43 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 50 kilometres (31 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria.

Polistena
Πολυξένη (Greek)
Comune di Polistena
Location of Polistena
Map
Polistena is located in Italy
Polistena
Polistena
Location of Polistena in Italy
Polistena is located in Calabria
Polistena
Polistena
Polistena (Calabria)
Coordinates: 38°24′N 16°4′E / 38.400°N 16.067°E / 38.400; 16.067
CountryItaly
RegionCalabria
Metropolitan cityReggio Calabria (RC)
FrazioniPrimogenito
Government
 • MayorMichele Tripodi (PdCI)
Area
 • Total
11.77 km2 (4.54 sq mi)
Elevation
254 m (833 ft)
Population
 (31 March 2018)[2]
 • Total
10,367
 • Density880/km2 (2,300/sq mi)
DemonymPolistenesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
89024
Dialing code0966
Patron saintSanta Marina Vergine
Saint dayJuly 17
WebsiteOfficial website

Polistena borders the following municipalities: Anoia, Cinquefrondi, Cittanova, Melicucco, San Giorgio Morgeto.

History

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Of uncertain historical origins, the territory around Polistena has been inhabited since prehistoric times. From the remains found, it appears to be the territory of transit of the Locresi during their ancestral migration. A village with the modern name is mentioned for the first time in the 13th century AD.

In 1783 Polistena was devastated by a violent earthquake, that razed to the ground most of the city and killed more than 2,000 people. The city was rebuilt quickly, basing on a design by Neapolitan architect Pompeo Schiantarelli, creating an urban center in the upper part of the city.

Main sights

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The Monument to the Fallen (Monumento ai Caduti) is located in Piazza del Popolo, and was sculpted by Francesco Jerace. The Palazzo Avati is located in the same square. In its facade is a portal where there is an apotropaic mark.

Twin towns — sister cities

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Polistena is twinned with:

People

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References

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  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat)
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