At the time of the Norman domination, Altolia became a fief of the Chiaromonte (XII century), whose territory extended to the sea, as the hamlets of Giampilieri and Molino did not yet exist.

During the anti-Spanish revolt of Messina of 1674–78, Altolia sided with the Spaniards, also due to the proximity of the fief of Scaletta, whose prince Ruffo was an ally of the latter.

In 1678, at the end of the revolt, despite the support given by the Altoliesi to the Spaniards for the achievement of victory, the lands of the valley between Altolia, Molino a Giampilieri were confiscated and put up for sale.

Francesco Piccinini bought them on behalf of Don Placido Ruffo, prince of Scaletta and of Floresta, who thus also became "Baron of Artalìa, Molino and Giampilieri".

[2] Since 2019, a satellite system has been monitoring the slow landslides on the rocky slopes, overlooking the village of Altolia, which has been putting the safety of residents at risk for ten years, especially during persistent rains.