On the trail of the brigand Cacciadiavoli

Nino Martino, known as the "Cacciadiavoli"

Cacciadiavoli, this was the nickname of Nino Martino, the legendary Calabrian brigand who earned a notable place in popular culture with his deeds, misdeeds according to the rich bullies who suffered them, sacrosanct revenge according to those who suffered those bullies.

Little or nothing is known for certain about him. Mentioned by a Reggio chronicler, he is believed to have lived in the 16th century, but nothing more. Instead, according to his legend, his first rebellion occurred while he was still a shepherd subservient to an unjust master. Having consummated that first revenge, he began life in the bush in Aspromonte at the head of a band of underdogs like himself, preying on landowners and embezzlers to give to the destitute.

Captured, he was sentenced to death, but escaped it when he was already on the threshold on the gallows due to the daring intervention of his companions. His exploits came to an end only when, in search of redemption, he wished to be reunited with his mother, but committed an imprudence that cost him his life. In his way a death in the odor of sanctity, certainly not recognized by the Church, but of strong hold in the collective imagination that made him a kind of patron saint, auspicious of justice and abundance.

In the footsteps of legend

In this story could not miss a burial worthy of legend. In fact, following the Trail of the Brigante, which heads to Gambarie, one will climb up to the so-called Nino Martino Square, a clearing at 1825 meters above sea level in the center of which stands out a pile of rocks that seems to have been formed by human hand, as if each of his followers had laid a stone in homage to the mourner. Be that as it may, dominant place, slightly lower than the summit, is challenging to reach, but evocative and with a view of such breadth that one quickly forgets the effort.