Polistena borders the following municipalities: Anoia, Cinquefrondi, Cittanova, Melicucco, San Giorgio Morgeto.

Of uncertain historical origins, the territory around Polistena has been inhabited since prehistoric times.

From the remains found, it appears to be the territory of transit of the Locresi during their ancestral migration.

In 1783 Polistena was devastated by a violent earthquake, that razed to the ground most of the city and killed more than 2,000 people.

The Monument to the Fallen (Monumento ai Caduti) is located in Piazza del Popolo, and was sculpted by Francesco Jerace.