1. Early Life and Background
Maria Cristina's early life was shaped by her royal lineage and upbringing within the prominent Bourbon-Two Sicilies family, providing her with a foundational understanding of courtly life and cultural pursuits.
1.1. Birth and Childhood
Maria Cristina was born on 17 January 1779 at the Caserta Palace in Caserta. She was the sixth child and fourth daughter born to Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, who reigned as King of Naples and Sicily (and later King of the Two Sicilies), and his wife, Maria Carolina of Austria. Her birth at the grand Caserta Palace placed her in a setting indicative of her high royal status from an early age.
1.2. Family Relationships and Upbringing
Maria Cristina's mother, Maria Carolina of Austria, was a daughter of the formidable Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, connecting Maria Cristina to one of Europe's most influential royal houses. Among her numerous siblings, Maria Cristina was considered her mother's favorite child. Tragedy struck the family early in Maria Cristina's life when her twin sister, Maria Cristina Amelia, died of smallpox on 26 February 1783, at the tender age of four. This early loss would have been a significant event in her formative years within the royal household.
2. Marriage and Duchess of Genoa
Maria Cristina's marriage to Charles Felix of Savoy marked a significant transition in her life, leading to her initial role as Duchess of Genoa before her husband's unexpected ascension to the Sardinian throne.
2.1. Marriage to Charles Felix
On 6 April 1807, Maria Cristina was married in Palermo to Prince Charles Felix of Savoy. Charles Felix was the fifth son of Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia, and at the time of their marriage, he had little expectation of inheriting the throne. However, due to the lack of male heirs among his elder brothers, and the adherence of the House of Savoy to Salic law, Charles Felix eventually became the heir presumptive.
2.2. Duchess of Genoa (1807-1821)
Following her marriage, Maria Cristina held the title of Duchess of Genoa. She maintained this style until 1821, when her husband, Prince Charles Felix, ascended to the throne of Sardinia. This ascension occurred after his elder brother, Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia, abdicated, propelling Maria Cristina to the position of Queen Consort.
3. Queen of Sardinia (1821-1831)
As Queen Consort of Sardinia for a decade, Maria Cristina, alongside her husband, dedicated herself to enriching the royal residences and supporting significant cultural and archaeological initiatives, leaving a notable mark on the kingdom's artistic and historical landscape.
3.1. Royal Residences and Cultural Patronage
During their reign, Queen Maria Cristina and King Charles Felix shared a strong interest in the arts and supported various artists. They invested considerable effort in transforming several royal properties into comfortable and aesthetically pleasing residences. Notably, the Royal House in Agliè and the Villa Rufinella in Frascati were among the estates they refurbished and utilized. The couple also resided at the Palazzo Chiablese in Turin, where King Charles Felix would later pass away. Their patronage extended beyond physical spaces, encompassing a broader support for the arts and cultural endeavors throughout their kingdom.
3.2. Support for Archaeological Excavations
Maria Cristina demonstrated a particular passion for archaeology, actively supporting and financing significant excavation projects. In 1825, she engaged the distinguished archaeologist Marquess Luigi Biondi (1776-1839) to undertake excavation work at Tusculum, an ancient Roman city in Lazio. She personally financed these excavations, which led to the uncovering of important historical artifacts. Later, in 1839 and 1840, the royal family commissioned the architect and archaeologist Luigi Canina (1795-1856) to further excavate the Theatre area of Tusculum. The ancient works of art and artifacts unearthed from these excavations were subsequently sent to the Castle of Agliè in Piedmont, a property of the Duke of Savoy, ensuring their preservation and display.
4. Later Life and Death
After King Charles Felix's death, Maria Cristina entered a period of widowhood, spending her final years in various royal residences and eventually passing away in Savona.
4.1. Widowhood and Final Years
King Charles Felix died in 1831, after a reign of ten years, leaving Maria Cristina a widow. Following his death, she divided her time between several royal residences. Her later years were spent residing in cities such as Turin, Naples, Agliè, and Frascati, moving between locations that had been significant during her marriage and reign.
4.2. Death and Burial
Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily died on 11 March 1849, in Savona, a city located in Liguria, Italy. She was buried alongside her husband, King Charles Felix, in the historic Hautecombe Abbey in Saint-Pierre-de-Curtille, France, a traditional burial place for members of the House of Savoy. The royal couple did not have any children.
5. Ancestry
Maria Cristina's ancestry traces back through prominent European royal houses, linking her to a long line of monarchs and influential figures.
| No. | Ancestor | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily | Self |
| Parents | ||
| 2 | Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies | Father |
| 3 | Maria Carolina of Austria | Mother |
| Paternal Grandparents | ||
| 4 | Charles III of Spain | Paternal Grandfather |
| 5 | Maria Amalia of Saxony | Paternal Grandmother |
| Maternal Grandparents | ||
| 6 | Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor | Maternal Grandfather |
| 7 | Maria Theresa of Austria | Maternal Grandmother |
| Paternal Great-Grandparents | ||
| 8 | Philip V of Spain | Paternal Great-Grandfather |
| 9 | Elisabeth Farnese | Paternal Great-Grandmother |
| 10 | Augustus III of Poland | Paternal Great-Grandfather |
| 11 | Maria Josepha of Austria | Paternal Great-Grandmother |
| Maternal Great-Grandparents | ||
| 12 | Leopold, Duke of Lorraine | Maternal Great-Grandfather |
| 13 | Élisabeth Charlotte of Orléans | Maternal Great-Grandmother |
| 14 | Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor | Maternal Great-Grandfather |
| 15 | Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick | Maternal Great-Grandmother |
6. Legacy and Evaluation
Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily is remembered for her role as Queen Consort of Sardinia and her significant contributions to cultural and archaeological preservation. Her life exemplified a blend of royal duty and personal intellectual curiosity. Her most notable legacy lies in her active patronage of the arts and her direct financial support for archaeological excavations, particularly at Tusculum. By engaging prominent archaeologists like Luigi Biondi and Luigi Canina, she facilitated the uncovering and study of ancient Roman artifacts, many of which were subsequently preserved at the Castle of Agliè. This dedication ensured that valuable historical knowledge and artifacts were protected and made accessible, enriching the cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Sardinia. Furthermore, her involvement in transforming and maintaining royal residences like the Royal House in Agliè and Villa Rufinella underscored her commitment to aesthetic refinement and the creation of comfortable environments for the royal family. While the couple had no children to continue their direct line, Maria Cristina's influence endured through her contributions to cultural patronage and historical preservation, leaving a lasting mark on the kingdom's intellectual and artistic landscape during her time as queen.