 In 1783 Polistena was devastated by a violent earthquake, that razed to the ground most of the city and killed more than 2,000 people.The city was rebuilt quickly, basing on a design by Neapolitan architect Pompeo Schiantarelli, creating an urban center in the upper part of the city.The "Monument to the Fallen" (Monumento ai Caduti) is located in Piazza del Popolo, and was sculpted by Francesco Jerace.