Starting from previous macroseismic studies on some historical and recent Calabro-Sicilian earthquakes, the methodological problems of the characterization and modelling of macroseismic fields and intensity attenuation are discussed. In particular, the correlation between the macroseismic fields and the geostructural framework of the region concerned is investigated. By an appropriate analysis of the structures, as surveyed by Wise et al. (1979), it has been possible to indicate how, in the areas characterized by an essentially unimodal diagram of lineament distribution showing a maximum with a high value of prevalence and kurtosis, the macroseismic fields have a strong anisotropy with a clear preferential propagation direction, which is consistent with the principal mode of the lineament distribution. On the contrary, in the areas characterized by a multimodal diagram having little dispersion and with a maximum having no distinct prevalence, isoseismal lines do not clearly show elongation directions. In the case of macroseismic fields which extend over areas of different structural characteristics, the correlation is more complex. With regard to the Irpinia earthquake of November 23, 1980, it may be observed how, moving away from the mesoseismic area, the preferential propagation of intensity shows an azimuthal variation, which remains consistent with the different prevailing lineament domains. Finally, the difficulty of elaborating a single attenuation model which is satisfactory for earthquakes in different areas and at different hypocentral depths, is pointed out, noting that the geostructural and dynamic framework of the seismogenetic and regional areas cannot be disregarded for a correct interpretation of the macroseismic fields.