from about 1360 sperlinga was ruled by the ventimiglia family. in 1597 it was sold for 30,834 ounces of gold to giovanni natoli. natoli was granted a "licentia populandi" or "licence to populate" by the king of sicily, philip ii of spain, and was made prince of sperlinga in 1627. his son francesco sold sperlinga in 1656 to giovanni stefano oneto, but kept the princely title. oneto was made duke of sperlinga in 1666 by charles ii of spain.