The famous author Heine once said that: “Italy has produced Raphael, Rossini and the Princess Belgioioso." This brave woman worked for the unification of Italy, took charge of hospitals, and wrote many books. She also ran a celebrated artistic salon in Paris.
The princess was born Cristina Trivulzio in 1808, the daughter of an extremely wealthy and prestigious family. Her father died when she was only four and her mother married the Marchese Alessandro, Visconti d’Aragona. Her stepfather’s involvement in radical politics probably influenced the young girl. He was jailed for three years at one stage because of his involvement in uprisings against the Austrian rulers of Milan.
Trivilzio received an excellent education, befitting the daughter of such an aristocratic family. She learned Latin, French, and English. She also studied philosophy, music, and painting. These accomplishments would serve her well later in her life.
Princess Cristina Trivulzio Marries
Trivulzio married Prince Emilio di Begiojoso at only 16. She brought him a huge dowry. Unfortunately, the Prince was a gambler and womaniser. They did share an interest in radical politics, but that wasn’t enough to save the marriage.
The marriage only lasted four years. The prince left his wife for another woman. However, they never divorced and they remained good friends, surprisingly. The couple often corresponded even after the princess left Italy for Paris.
Eventually, the princess had a daughter, Maria, with another man. This was in 1838. The father is unknown, but he could have been . She was very beautiful and reputed to have many lovers.
Princess Belgioioso and the Risorgimento
Cristina Belgiojoso fled Italy for Paris soon after her husband left her because her association with revolutionaries caught the attention of the authorities. She was extremely poor at first so she gave music lessons and painted portraits to earn a living. Soon she had enough money to move to a better area of the city where she established her famous salon. People such as Liszt and Thierry attended her salon.
She also helped Italian exiles and wrote articles for newspapers to help the cause of Italian unification. She pleaded with Napoleon III and Cavour to support the cause. Legend even has it that the princess made a passionate speech in the French Chamber of Deputies about Italian affairs.
In 1848 Belgiojoso financed a troop of soldiers and went with them to support the Milanese in their uprising against the Austrians. Afterwards she managed hospitals in Rome and was compared with Florence Nightingale. The Roman Republic did not last long, however, and Belgioioso left Italy again. She moved with her daughter to Turkey where she set up a pioneering farm and wrote history books.
She eventually returned to Italy where she lived in the family’s villa in Locate. Here she worked with the French Prime Minister Cavour to establish unification which she lived to see in 1861. The princess died at 63, after helping to achieve her greatest ambition for her country. Cristina Belgiojoso should be credited with playing a large part in Italy's Risorgimento.
Sources
- Cristina Belgiojoso
- Cristina Trivulzio Belgiojoso
Lisa Sanderson - Lisa has been a freelance-writer for many years. She used to write for the topic, British Social History, for Suite 101 under the ...
Join the Conversation