Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily
Encyclopedia
Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily (Maria Cristina Amelia Teresa; 17 January 1779 – 11 March 1849) was a Princess of Naples and Sicily and later Queen of Sardinia as wife of Charles Felix of Sardinia
.
and his wife Maria Carolina of Austria
, a daughter of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria
. Her (younger) twin sister Princess Maria Cristina Amelia
died of smallpox
in 1783, aged five, a week after their brother Prince Giuseppe died.
She was her mother's favourite child.
with Prince Charles Felix of Savoy
, who became King unexpectedly, when his two elder brothers abdicated, Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia
in 1802 and Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia
in 1821. Till her husband became king, she was styled as the Duchess of Genoa
.
and the Villa Rufinella
in Frascati
into comfortable residences.
During her husband's reign, they resided at the Palazzo Chiablese
, where her husband died in 1831.
In 1825, the Queen engaged the archaeologist Marquess Luigi Biondi (1776–1839), whose excavation work uncovered Tusculum
. In 1839 and 1840, the architect and archaeologist Luigi Canina
(1795–1856) was engaged by the royal family and excavated the Theatre area of Tusculum. The ancient works of art excavated were sent to the Duke of Savoy's Castle of Agliè
in Piedmont
.
Charles Felix died in 1831 after a reign of ten years. Maria Cristina lived the rest of her life in Turin, Naples, Agliè and Frascati, and died in Savona, Liguria
. She was buried beside her husband in the Basilica of Superga
, Great Mausoleum, Savoy Crypt, Turin, Piedmont, Italy. The couple had no children.
Charles Felix of Sardinia
Charles Felix was the Duke of Savoy, Piedmont, Aosta and King of Sardinia from 1821 to 1831.-Early life:...
.
Princess of Naples and Sicily
She was a daughter of King Ferdinand I of the Two SiciliesFerdinand I of the Two Sicilies
Ferdinand I reigned variously over Naples, Sicily, and the Two Sicilies from 1759 until his death. He was the third son of King Charles III of Spain by his wife Maria Amalia of Saxony. On 10 August 1759, Charles succeeded his elder brother, Ferdinand VI, as King Charles III of Spain...
and his wife Maria Carolina of Austria
Maria Carolina of Austria
Maria Carolina of Austria was Queen of Naples and Sicily as the wife of King Ferdinand IV & III. As de facto ruler of her husband's kingdoms, Maria Carolina oversaw the promulgation of many reforms, including the revocation of the ban on Freemasonry, the enlargement of the navy under her...
, a daughter of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria
Maria Theresa of Austria
Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina was the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and the last of the House of Habsburg. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Mantua, Milan, Lodomeria and Galicia, the Austrian Netherlands and Parma...
. Her (younger) twin sister Princess Maria Cristina Amelia
Princess Maria Cristina Amelia of Naples and Sicily
Maria Cristina Amelia of Naples and Sicily was a Princess of Naples and Sicily and twin sister of the future Queen of Sardinia. She died of Smallpox 1783.-Biography:...
died of smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
in 1783, aged five, a week after their brother Prince Giuseppe died.
She was her mother's favourite child.
Duchess of Genoa
She was married on 6 April 1807 in PalermoPalermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
with Prince Charles Felix of Savoy
Charles Felix of Sardinia
Charles Felix was the Duke of Savoy, Piedmont, Aosta and King of Sardinia from 1821 to 1831.-Early life:...
, who became King unexpectedly, when his two elder brothers abdicated, Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia
Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia
Charles Emmanuel IV was King of Sardinia from 1796 to 1802. He abdicated in favour of his brother Victor Emmanuel I...
in 1802 and Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia
Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia
Victor Emmanuel I was the Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia from 1802 to 1821, and Jacobite Pretender from 1819 until his death.-Biography:...
in 1821. Till her husband became king, she was styled as the Duchess of Genoa
Duchess of Genoa
-Duchess of Genoa:-See also:*List of Savoyard consorts...
.
Queen of Sardinia
The royal couple were interested in the arts and artists, and turned the Royal House in AglièAgliè
Agliè is a comune in the province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 35 km north of Turin.Agliè borders the following municipalities: San Martino Canavese, Torre Canavese, Bairo, Vialfrè, Cuceglio, San Giorgio Canavese, and Ozegna.-Main sights:Agliè's main attraction is...
and the Villa Rufinella
Villa Rufinella
Villa Rufinella, also called Villa Tuscolana, is a villa in Frascati, Italy.Villa Rufinella is situated highest of the villas on the hill above the town of Frascati. It was built by Alessandro Ruffini, bishop of Melfi, in 1578, but during its history, the proprietors have made changes in different...
in Frascati
Frascati
Frascati is a town and comune in the province of Rome in the Lazio region of central Italy. It is located south-east of Rome, on the Alban Hills close to the ancient city of Tusculum. Frascati is closely associated with science, being the location of several international scientific...
into comfortable residences.
During her husband's reign, they resided at the Palazzo Chiablese
Palazzo Chiablese
The Palazzo Chiablese is a building which is part of the Royal Palace of Turin, northern Italy. It was the successive home of the Duke of Chablais and then Carlo Felice, king of Sardinia and Ferdinando the Duke of Genoa. It is today the home of a cultural collection which honouring the history...
, where her husband died in 1831.
In 1825, the Queen engaged the archaeologist Marquess Luigi Biondi (1776–1839), whose excavation work uncovered Tusculum
Tusculum
Tusculum is a ruined Roman city in the Alban Hills, in the Latium region of Italy.-Location:Tusculum is one of the largest Roman cities in Alban Hills. The ruins of Tusculum are located on Tuscolo hill—more specifically on the northern edge of the outer crater ring of the Alban volcano...
. In 1839 and 1840, the architect and archaeologist Luigi Canina
Luigi Canina
Luigi Canina was an Italian archaeologist and architect.Luigi Canina, Italian architect and archeologist, was born in Casale Monferrato in 1795 and died in Florence in 1856. He was a pupil of F. Bonsignore in Turin, and settled in Rome in 1818...
(1795–1856) was engaged by the royal family and excavated the Theatre area of Tusculum. The ancient works of art excavated were sent to the Duke of Savoy's Castle of Agliè
Agliè
Agliè is a comune in the province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 35 km north of Turin.Agliè borders the following municipalities: San Martino Canavese, Torre Canavese, Bairo, Vialfrè, Cuceglio, San Giorgio Canavese, and Ozegna.-Main sights:Agliè's main attraction is...
in Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
.
Charles Felix died in 1831 after a reign of ten years. Maria Cristina lived the rest of her life in Turin, Naples, Agliè and Frascati, and died in Savona, Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
. She was buried beside her husband in the Basilica of Superga
Basilica of Superga
The Basilica of Superga is a church in the vicinity of Turin.It was built from 1717 to 1731 for Victor Amadeus II of Savoy by Filippo Juvarra, at the top of the hill of Superga, to fulfill a vow the duke had made during the Battle of Turin...
, Great Mausoleum, Savoy Crypt, Turin, Piedmont, Italy. The couple had no children.
Titles and styles
- 17 January 1779 – 6 April 1807 Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily
- 6 April 1807 – 12 March 1821 Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Genoa
- 12 March 1821 – 27 April 1831 Her Majesty the Queen of Sardinia
- 27 April 1831 – 11 March 1849 Her Majesty the Dowager Queen of Sardinia