202 – Spanish Italy in the early 1500’s -The Kingdom of Naples

Why not experience the history yourself? Take a virtual or live Naples tour: Episode Overview Having toured Spanish Sardinia and turbulent Sicily, we now complete our circuit of southern Italy by turning to the Kingdom of Naples. Once secured for Spain by the legendary Gonzalo de Córdoba, Naples became one of the crown jewels of the Spanish Empire — wealthy, strategic, and politically delicate. In this episode, we follow the kingdom from consolidation under Spanish rule through internal tensions, shifting viceroys, the Battle of Ravenna, and finally to the dramatic French siege of Naples in 1528 — a moment when the city came dangerously close to slipping from Spanish control. Naples Under Spanish Rule This preferential treatment helped Naples grow into one of the largest cities in Europe — rivaling Venice and Paris in population and prestige. Social Balance and Political Tensions Gonzalo de Córdoba and the Transition of Power The Battle of Ravenna (1512) Charles V, Pavia, and Rising Tensions But while Rome burned, Naples nearly fell. The French Siege of Naples (1528) After Lannoy’s death from plague in 1527, Ugo de Moncada — formerly viceroy of Sicily — took charge. A Dire Situation Moncada attempted to break the blockade and was killed in the effort. Why Naples Did Not Fall Despite appearances, several factors saved the city: 1. Powerful Defenses Naples was protected by three major fortresses: Even if the French breached the city, holding it would be another matter. 2. Genoese Defection The Genoese fleet switched sides — Spanish imperial trade interests proved more profitable than French alignment. 3. Plague In a desperate move, Lautrec destroyed the Bolla Aqueduct, flooding surrounding marshlands. Combined with summer heat, this triggered a devastating outbreak of plague. One of its victims: Lautrec himself. With their commander dead and disease rampant, French momentum collapsed. The Aftermath Naples remained Spanish. Walking Through History: The Spanish City The legacy of this period can still be explored today: Looking Ahead: A New Viceroy In 1532, one of the most influential and controversial viceroys arrived: Pedro Álvarez de Toledo y Zúñiga His tenure would transform Naples physically, politically, and socially — reshaping the city in ways still visible today. But before we follow that story, we must turn north — far north — to events unfolding in the distant reaches of what would one day be called northern Italy.

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202 – Spanish Italy in the early 1500’s -The Kingdom of Naples is an episode from A History of Italy » Podcast.

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This episode was published on Mar 16, 2026.

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