Altolia
Altolia is a village of Messina district in northeast of Sicily, southern Italy. It stands at an elevation of above sea level. At the time of the Istat census of 2011 it had about 200 inhabitants. The village is located on the border with the municipality of Scaletta Zanclea, on the high hills overlooking the valley of the Giampilieri stream. History At the time of the Norman domination, Altolia became a fief of the Chiaromonte (XII century), whose territory extended to the sea, as the hamlets of Giampilieri and Molino did not yet exist. During the anti-Spanish revolt of Messina of 1674–78, Altolia sided with the Spaniards, also due to the proximity of the fief of Scaletta, whose prince Ruffo was an ally of the latter. During the four years of struggle, the houses and districts of the valley were repeatedly looted and burned, now by the Spaniards and now by the French. In 1678, at the end of the revolt, despite the support given by the Altoliesi to the Spaniards for the achievement of victory, the lands of the valley between Altolia, Molino a Giampilieri were confiscated and put up for sale. Francesco Piccinini bought them on behalf of