which was the famous "zecchino of Belmonte", a gold coin on which appears both the Prince's head and coat of arms. In 1806 and 1807 Belmonte supported Amantea and Fiumefreddo while under siege by French troops commanded by General Peyri. Belmonte's castle was the last to surrender. Under the French, Belmonte became the centre of the administrative area of Crati, comprising the territory that reaches from Amantea to Guardia Piemontese and including the cities of Aiello, Altilia, Mangone and Rogliano. With the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in the late 19th century, Belmonte gained the additional name of Calabro, to distinguish it from other Italian places of the same name. The coat of arms of Belmonte itself is a palm between two towers under a princely crown. The two towers represent the fortifications of Verri and Barbarise, with the palm symbolizing the countryside between. The crown represents the historical connection with the Belmonte Princes. Belmonte was in the news on 5 December 1930, when the English aviators Winifred Spooner and Captain Edwards were forced by mechanical breakdown to ditch into the sea whilst en route from London to Cape Town, South Africa, in what had been planned as a 5 days and nights record breaking attempt. Winifred Spooner swam the 3 kilometers to shore in complete darkness and alerted local fishermen who rescued Captain Edwards and the plane. Noted Belmontesi Michele Bianchi, involved with the March on Rome Luigi Mattei, Marquis de Belmonte during the 17th century Main sights Palazzo Ravaschieri Fieschi della Torre (17th century) Castle, erected around 1271 Collegiate church of Santa Maria Assunta (16th century) Church of the Immacolata Concezione (17th century) Capuchins' Convent (17th century) Palazzo Rivellino (17th century) City walls and coastal watchtowers Transportation Belmonte can be reached by road through the SS18 State Road (Tirrena Inferiore). The town has a station on the main line from Naples to Reggio Calabria. References Cities and towns in Calabria 1270 establishments in Europe 13th-century establishments in the Kingdom of Sicily Populated places established in the 13th century