ETIMOLOGY AND HISTORY

According to historical tradition, the town grew up around the year 1000, for defensive reasons. Indeed, it seems that the inhabitants have fled on a rock to escape the depredations of the Saracens. The village is mentioned, under William II in the twelfth century, with the name Pissocta but in Catalogus Baronum has already shown with the current name.Until 1806, the village witnessed countless feudal passages in which it was in possession of Caracciolo (1270), Sanseverino (1400) and Pappacoda (1590). Until 1806, Pisciotta was still a feudal possession in which the most prominent families exploited the local population as evidenced by the main buildings that still dominate the town. During that year the village was the scene of clashes between French troops and the Bourbon and, in 1828, it was one of the villages that took part in the revolt of the Philadelphians. The country still maintains traditions and contacts with the rural environment.Pisciotta is renowned for the production of the oil, extracted from the typical "Pisciotta" olive. The contact with the sea has been kept alive. A small fleet of 6 fishermen still maintains their technique for fishing anchovies called "menaica" which includes the use of a particular net, blocking the passage of fish, catching only the largest species, a cultural tradition kept alive by "Pisciottani ". Fishing is associated with the presence of the workshops for the preparation of anchovies, following traditional recipes and methods.

The traditional relationship with the sea is maintained through the historical boat race with lateen wooden boats and the procession of Madonna di Porto Salvo. The current old town still presents the architectural features of the past that you can recognize in its urban layout. The heart of the residential area is the marquis palace that was built on the ruins of the castle. The narrow streets and the houses close to each other are a living proof of the antiquity of the urban settlementThe palaces of the families who controlled the village are still visible and have not affected the urban setting of the town which, as mentioned, still maintains its urban characteristics. These complexes, built between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, still maintain intact their architectural features. It is woth mentioning the marquis palace which, in a dominant position over the village.In the ancient village there is also the church of SS. Peter and Paul, built in the sixteenth century, located at the end of the medieval village. This church houses several examples of Baroque. It should be noted, in fact, the presence of the image of Our Lady of Grace and the Apostles Peter and Paul, which were donated by King Charles of Bourbon.