Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maria Cristina |
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| Queen consort of Sardinia | |||||
| Tenure | 12 March 1821 – 27 April 1831 | ||||
| Born | 17 January 1779 Caserta Palace, Naples |
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| Died | 11 March 1849 (aged 70) Savona, Piedmont |
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| Burial | Royal Basilica of Superga, Turin | ||||
| Spouse | Charles Felix of Sardinia | ||||
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| House | House of Savoy House of Bourbon |
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| Father | Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies | ||||
| Mother | Maria Carolina of Austria | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholic | ||||
Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily (born January 17, 1779 – died March 11, 1849) was a princess. She was born in Naples and Sicily. Later, she became the Queen of Sardinia. She was married to Charles Felix of Sardinia.
Contents
Early Life as a Princess
Maria Cristina Amelia Teresa was born on January 17, 1779. Her parents were King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies and Maria Carolina of Austria. Her mother, Maria Carolina, was a daughter of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Maria Cristina was known to be her mother's favorite child.
Becoming a Duchess
On April 6, 1807, Maria Cristina married Prince Charles Felix of Savoy in Palermo. Before her husband became king, she was known as the Duchess of Genevois. Charles Felix became king unexpectedly. His two older brothers, Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia and Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia, both gave up their crowns.
Life as Queen of Sardinia
Maria Cristina and her husband, King Charles Felix, loved art and artists. They made their homes, like the Royal House in Agliè and the Villa Rufinella in Frascati, very comfortable.
During Charles Felix's time as king, they lived at the Palazzo Chiablese. This is where her husband passed away in 1831.
Queen Maria Cristina was interested in old history. In 1825, she supported an archaeologist named Luigi Biondi. His work helped uncover an ancient city called Tusculum. Later, in 1839 and 1840, another archaeologist, Luigi Canina, continued this work. The old artworks found were sent to the Duke of Savoy's Castle of Agliè in Piedmont.
King Charles Felix died in 1831 after ruling for ten years. Maria Cristina spent the rest of her life living in different places. These included Turin, Naples, Agliè, and Frascati. She died in Savona, Liguria, in 1849. She was buried next to her husband in the Basilica of Superga in Turin. The royal couple did not have any children.
Titles and Styles
- January 17, 1779 – April 6, 1807: Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily
- April 6, 1807 – March 12, 1821: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Genevois
- March 12, 1821 – April 27, 1831: Her Majesty the Queen of Sardinia
- April 27, 1831 – March 11, 1849: Her Majesty the Dowager Queen of Sardinia
Images for kids
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Princess Maria Cristina, painted by Louise Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun.
See also
In Spanish: María Cristina de Borbón-Dos Sicilias (1779-1849) para niños
