The earthquake that shook more than two hundred Calabrian towns from 5 February to 29 March 1783 left standing, of Castelmonardo, nothing but a small house just outside the built-up area. On 16 April the inhabitants entitled to vote, that is the two upper estates, met in assembly and decided unanimously on something not at all obvious: the foundation stone of the new town would be laid right there, on the one house left standing. They gave the town a Greek name, Filadelfia, which means brotherly love, and which is explained by good wishes, by the help received from half of Italy, or by the Enlightenment society of the Philadelphoi, depending on who is telling it.
The plan of the town was drawn by two survivors, Biagio Stillitano and Francescantonio Serrao: a regular grid of Enlightenment stamp, still today a well-known example of eighteenth-century town planning. On the coat of arms two hands are clasping, one of them gloved, and many read in it the hand of Freemasonry behind the whole reconstruction. The title of city came on 27 June 1787 from Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, at the request of bishop Giovanni Andrea Serrao, a son of Castelmonardo and a close friend of Gaetano Filangieri.
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📅 Every year, on 4 December; the first Sunday of August brings the camel dance for Saint Francis of Paola
Filadelfia celebrates Saint Barbara on 4 December, in the church dedicated to her. On the first Sunday of August, for the feast of Saint Francis of Paola, the camel dance is held, accompanied by the sound of drums.
Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Filadelfia, but an easy day trip away.
