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 The
roots of Monterosso Almo date back to very ancient times. Numerous
necropolises were recovered in the underlying valley, 35 caves,
once inhabited, in the proximity of the "old moll". Another
ancint installation was brought to light in the area of the close
Mount Casaia. Here, and in several other areas of the province of
Ragusa, the Siculi established their houses.
The
earliest document attesting the existence of a village in this area
dates from 4th century b.C. and tells that it was assigned, along
with the "Casali" (hamlets) of Gulfi and Iomiso, to the
Byzantines; another attestation occurs from a "Bolla"
of Pope Alessandro III, in 1168.
During
Norman rule the village got the name of Monte Iohalmo, belonged
to Enrico Rosso from Aidone, who here built a castle, today no more
existing, in the Contrada Casale (Casale's country- road).
It
was then included in the County of Modica and eventually called
Monterosso. During Cabrera's reign, it changed numerous Signors,
to be, finally, re-bought (Count Cabrera had sold part of its properties
to resolve its financial problems) by the very Cabrera's heirs.
On
11th January 1693, a terrible earthquake razed the town to the ground,
causing over 200 dead.
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