Mileto stands on a plain at the foot of Monte Poro at about 2km from the original site which was devastated by the 1783 earthquake.  Ruggiero di Altavilla, known as the Normanno,  made it the capital of Calabria and set up his own court there.  It thus became both an important military as well as religious and cultural centre and seat of the bishopric. “L’Archivio Storico Diocesano”  (“the Diocesan Historical Archive”) gives testimony to Mileto’s illustrious past and is open to the public every day.  The most important collection of parchments of the territory and of the local Church can be found there. The Episcopal Museum (“Museo Vescovile”, telephone number 0963 337015) houses several very important works of art including those of the so-called “Maestro” of Mileto of the XIV century.