Polistena (Calabrian Greek : Πολυξένη, romanized: Polyxénē, or ΠολυσθένηPolysthénē) 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 borders the following municipalities: Anoia, Cinquefrondi, Cittanova, Melicucco, San Giorgio Morgeto.
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.
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.
Polistena is twinned with:
Agnana Calabra 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.
Antonimina is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 80 kilometres (50 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 45 kilometres (28 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria.
Bagaladi is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 120 kilometres (75 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 15 kilometres (9 mi) southeast of Reggio Calabria.
Bruzzano Zeffirio is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 110 kilometres (68 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 40 kilometres (25 mi) southeast of Reggio Calabria.
Calanna is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 110 kilometres (68 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 9 kilometres (6 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria.
Campo Calabro is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 110 kilometres (68 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 12 kilometres (7 mi) north of Reggio Calabria. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 4,193 and an area of 7.5 square kilometres (2.9 sq mi).
Candidoni is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 60 kilometres (37 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 60 kilometres (37 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria.
Canolo 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. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 901 and an area of 28.2 square kilometres (10.9 sq mi).
Cardeto is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 120 kilometres (75 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 10 kilometres (6 mi) southeast of Reggio Calabria. Cardeto borders the following municipalities: Bagaladi, Reggio Calabria, Roccaforte del Greco.
Cinquefrondi 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.
Cittanova is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 80 kilometres (50 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 45 kilometres (28 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria.
Fiumara is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 110 kilometres (68 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 12 kilometres (7 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria. Fiumara borders the following municipalities: Calanna, Campo Calabro, Reggio Calabria, San Roberto, Scilla, Villa San Giovanni.
Laganadi is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 110 kilometres (68 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 10 kilometres (6 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria.
Melito di Porto Salvo (Calabrian: Mèlitu; Calabrian Greek: Μέλιτος or Μέλιτο is a comune in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 130 kilometres southwest of Catanzaro and about 25 kilometres southeast of Reggio Calabria; and is also the southernmost municipality on the Italian Peninsula. It is part of the Bovesia Greek-speaking area of Calabria, occupying a hilly area which descends towards the Ionian Sea.
Rizziconi is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 80 kilometres (50 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 45 kilometres (28 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 7,926 and an area of 39.7 square kilometres (15.3 sq mi).
Roccaforte del Greco is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 110 kilometres (68 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Reggio Calabria.
Roghudi is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 130 kilometres (81 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Reggio Calabria.
San Giorgio Morgeto is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 70 kilometres southwest of Catanzaro and about 50 km (31 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,356 and an area of 35.1 square kilometres (13.6 sq mi).
Sant'Alessio in Aspromonte is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 110 kilometres (68 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 10 kilometres (6 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria.
Francesco Jerace was an Italian sculptor.