The notary Saladino added—and this is worthy of emphasis---that for the very aptness of the place and the healthfulness of the air (in contrast to the malarial plain) “there is a considerable tradition that the entire city of Nicastro, at that time called Nomistro, was situated in the very same place before the incursions of the barbarians.” It was in this place, then, following the flood and earthquake that the above-mentioned citizens decided to settle provisionally in hovels and shanties. Later, intending to establish themselves there definitely, they put forth a formal request to marshal Don Francesco Pignatelli, who had been sent by the king to Calabria as vicar-general to oversee the emergency measures stemming from the earthquake. They eventually got authorization on September 6, 1784. A public parliament was convened on September 12 through the action of the local governor Don Francesco Antonio Giuliani.

But in order for their contractual settlement in the area be perpetual, for them and their posterity, it was necessary to make an assessment of an annual rental payment. The chaplains, posed legal objections making it necessary to turn once again to Pignatelli whose headquarters were at Monteleone. On June 30, 1784, Pignatelli delegated the task of assessing the value of the area to Royal Engineer Don Vincenzo Farnese who, assisted by two Nicastrese experts (Serafino la Chimia and Tomaso Guzzo), established the value of the property at 377 ducats plus 10 in existing grain, and its yearly revenues as 17 ducats, plus 57 in grain and 8 in horses. The report was dated February 3, 1758.

The canonical chaplains were not pleased with the valuation, and they opposed it. Agreement was difficult, but in the end it was reached thanks to mediation by the bishop, Monsignor Francesco Paolo Mandarini (1773-1796). Besides the citizens who had presented themselves before the notary, there were many others who had also occupied various spots in the Bella area, but had not planned to establish themselves there. On July 29 of the same year, 1789, the notary Saladino was called to draw up another legal instrument for these other Nicastrese citizens.