The Bourbons in Naples – Napolisera
Welcome to the new appointment of the column: “𝑵𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊 𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂: 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂, 𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒅𝒅𝒐𝒕𝒊 𝒆 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒂 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒂 ‘”.
In 1734 don Carlos of Bourbon – son of Philip V, King of Spainand of Elizabeth Farnese – he managed to take possession of Naples, driving away the Austrians who had governed it since 1707. It was immediately clear that this conquest did not herald a resumption of Spanish rule. In fact, an independent political identity was affirmed which was recognized by the Treaty of Vienna of 1738.
Despite the division of the state territorial structure into the province, the entire life of the Continental noon it took place in Naples where the only university in the kingdom was located.
Charles of Bourbon he implemented profound reforms dictated by an evident innovative spirit. As king he issued a decree annulling the privileges of barons, instituted the General cadastre, restructured the ports and developed the merchant fleet. During the demographic survey (in Naples there were 337,000 inhabitants)the city was divided into twelve districts and numbers and plates were posted in the streets.
In 1738 work began on the Capodimonte Palace and, subsequently, those for the Royal Palace of Caserta. A Ferdinand Escape was given the task of building theHotel for the poora huge building whose purpose was not only to give assistance to the many beggars, but also to teach them a trade to reintegrate them into society.
It must also a Charles of Bourbon the construction of the San Carlo Theatrethe oldest Opera House of the world to still be active today. During the same period Charles of Bourbon transformed in the archaeological parks Excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii.
Meanwhile, in Spain, he died Ferdinand VI of Bourbon (1759). Since he had no children, he was called to succeed him in Madrid himself Charles of Bourbonthe half-brother, who gave the Neapolitan crown to his son Ferdinandthen a minor, supported by the trusted man Bernardo Tanucci.
In 1799 Napoleon order at general Sample to take Naples and Ferdinand was forced to take refuge in Sicily. In Naples it was proclaimed the Neapolitan Republic. however, thanks to the cardinal Fabrizio Ruffounder the banner of Holy Faithhe formed an army which, through a general uprising, forced the occupying French troops to leave Naples.
Pino Spera, Head of the History Section of the I Care Library, Pomigliano d’Arco (NA).