In 1656 a serious plague epidemic broke out in the Kingdom of Naples. The plague took the population and rulers by surprise, promoting the dissemination of far-fetched explanations. The Neapolitan people tried to appease their fear with the hope of a miracle, regarded as a possible solution to the epidemic. Despite the adoption of preventive measures, useful to control the spread of the disease, religious processions and religious services, however, took place in the infected Naples, helping the epidemic to further spread. The plague ended up leaving lasting marks in the Neapolitan population's mind, being people unaware of the etiology of the disease, strengthening the idea that only God and his saints could preserve the city from such a tragic event even in the following years
Nel 1656 una grave epidemia di peste scoppiò improvvisa nel regno di Napoli. La peste colse di sorpresa popolazione e governanti, favorendo la diffusione di spiegazioni inverosimili. La popolazione napoletana tentò di placare la paura con la speranza di un miracolo, considerato una possibile soluzione all'epidemia. Nonostante l'adozione di alcuni provvedimenti preventivi, utili a controllare la diffusione della malattia, processioni e funzioni religiose si svolsero comunque nella Napoli infetta, contribuendo però a propagare ulteriormente il male. La peste finì per lasciare segni durevoli nella mente della popolazione napoletana, ignara dell'eziologia della malattia, rafforzando l'idea che solo Dio e i suoi santi avrebbero potuto preservare la città da un tale tragico evento anche negli anni a venire.
Epidemie, paure e miracoli nella Napoli spagnola
Idamaria Fusco
2023
Abstract
In 1656 a serious plague epidemic broke out in the Kingdom of Naples. The plague took the population and rulers by surprise, promoting the dissemination of far-fetched explanations. The Neapolitan people tried to appease their fear with the hope of a miracle, regarded as a possible solution to the epidemic. Despite the adoption of preventive measures, useful to control the spread of the disease, religious processions and religious services, however, took place in the infected Naples, helping the epidemic to further spread. The plague ended up leaving lasting marks in the Neapolitan population's mind, being people unaware of the etiology of the disease, strengthening the idea that only God and his saints could preserve the city from such a tragic event even in the following yearsI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.