Paterno
Nestled at the foot of Mt. Etna lies the city of Paterno. Circa 10 A.D., the Saracens swept through Sicily ravaging the countryside. They were member of a nomadic people of the deserts between Syria and Arabia. These arabs were divided into fierce and cruel bands that pillaged villages and cities, murdering the inhabitants or forcing them into slavery. They took anything of value and left a trail of smoke and devastation.
When the Saracens swept through Sicily destroying everything in their path, the inhabitants and especially the ruling class, were in dire jeopardy. At that time, the Princes family of Paterno were the governing rulers of the region around Mt. Etna. Fearing for their lives, several member of the family fled across the narrow Strait of Messina, the nearest route to the mainland. Seeking safer regions, they continued to move inland and settled in the mountains in the village of Guardia.
Guardia – Roman Fortification
Guardia was founded about 150 B.C. as one of the military fortifications along the Basento River. The Romans built many such sites to protect the primary invasion route of the region.
After the invasion of Sicily, the Saracens then infiltrated to the center of Lucania, where Guardia was located. The villagers had to be ever vigilant of surprise attacks. At the first shout of alarm, they called to their families, and scurried up into the hillsides carrying food and small items that could be gathered quickly. There they found refuge in caves and sheltered areas and prepared for defense. Fortunately, there was an abundance of rocks and everyone worked to gather them near the well hidden vantage points. From these advantageous positions, they could see the approaching enemy and roll huge rocks down the mountainside. When danger was past, they returned once again to their village.
Castelmezzano
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the military deserted this fortification but the populace remained. For centuries, the people of Guardia farmed the hillsides, and dedicated themselves to artisan work, pottery and ceramics. Sometime during this period, the name of the village changed form Guardia to Castelmezzano.
The first historical references of the town of Castelmezzano are noted circa 1000 A.C., in the “Barons Catalogue.” Castelmezzano means ‘castle in the middle’ and derived its name from its location between the castle in Brindizi and the other in Pietropertosa.
Research report and family history passed down through descendants prove that the Paterno family of Castelmezzano descended from the refugees who escaped from Sicily. Thus the Paterno family of Castelmezzano began.
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