The city of Naples has always been known for its cultural richness but also for its memorable stories.

The distinguished narrator of the one we tell you about here is. Benedetto Croce, who included it in the book Neapolitan stories and legends but Loise de Rosa, one of the chroniclers who served for many noble houses and collected all her memoirs in a book titled Memories.

The meeting of Lucrezia D'Alagno and King Alfonso V

Amidst legends, mysteries, and fascinating events, this love story is certainly noteworthy.

On June 23, 1448, the feast of John the Baptist, which fell on the day of the summer solstice. On this occasion young women would bring a gift of a barley seedling to their beloved, and in case the interest was matched, the beloved would have to reciprocate with a gift. It is said that the young women in order to make their lovers enamored used special herbs.

According to legend, the meeting between Lucrezia and King Alfonso, also called the Magnanimous, occurred on this very magical night.

When King Alfonso passed with the procession to Naples, the young Lucrezia offered him a barley seedling. The Re, to reciprocate the gesture he handed her a handful of alphonsini, gold coins named for the figure of the king imprinted on them.

Lucretia took only one and smilingly said that d'Alfonso He only needed one. That was how the lightning strike was triggered.

The love story between Lucrezia d'Alagno and Alfonso V of Aragon, takes place in the Naples 1400s.

The love story

Amazed by the maiden's beauty on the evening of the feast, King Alfonso persuaded Lucrezia to stand beside him in the royal procession, which was headed to the Church of San Giovanni a Mare, near the harbor. On the way they discussed poetry, philosophy, but also literature and history.

The following day, the re, who was visiting Torre del Greco, saw her again looking out the window of her father's vegetable garden and invited her to the lavish party he had organized at the Aragonese Castle in Torre del Greco.

Lucrezia d'Alagno had recently moved to Torre del Greco as his father had inherited land.

Born in 1430 to Cola d'Alagno and Covella Toraldo, Lucrezia d'Alagno had noble Amalfi origins. Lucrezia's father was the first feudal lord of the Casale di Torre dell'Annunciata (Torre Annunziata), lord of Roccarainola, as well as Captain of Justice of Torre del Greco.

The King Alfonso V in order to be near the maiden he therefore transferred his court for a time to Torre del Greco,having the Aragonese Castle, the place where he stayed, renovated.

Today, the Aragonese Castle is known as the Baronial Palace and is the seat of the municipality of Torre del Greco.

Although they had already been divided for years, King Alfonso V was the spouse of Mary of Castile, at that time located in Spain but nevertheless carried on the relationship with Lucretia, who also attended court parties. However, the young woman used the love of King Alfonso also to obtain riches and favors.

He succeeded in helping family members who obtained privileges, noble titles and fiefs. Lucrezia herself obtained the land holdings of Somma Vesuviana, San Marzano, Caiazzo and later also the Aragonese Castle by Ischia, and the island itself.

Although she could not become queen, Alfonso made her respected by both the people and the court as such. The 18-year-old Lucrezia and the 53-year-old King Alfonso became inseparable over time, their love affair lasted for a full 10 years. The re was so much in love with the maiden that he wanted to seal his love by dedicating an entire garden to her, now known as the Countess' Garden.

Complications and Lucretia's tragic end.

Lucrezia d'Alagno had conquered Alfonso but legitimately she was not his wife, so he thought of a ruse so that he could separate from his consort.

In 1457, with a procession of knights, ladies and as many as five hundred horses, Lucrezia was sent by King Alfonso to Rome, to ask the Pope for an annulment of the marriage. Callistus III. The pontiff, however, despite having welcomed Lucrezia benevolently, he was extremely strict and refused the request.

Unfortunately, the following year King Alfonso died at the age of 64, leaving behind his beloved Lucrezia Deprived of its protection.

At court Lucretia was much envied but mostly hated, especially by Ferrante, illegitimate son of King Alfonso V of Aragon and Gueraldona Carlino, the woman who in 1423 had accompanied King Alfonso on his return to Spain. Ferdinand of Aragon, called Ferrante, organized a full-fledged crusade against Lucretia, who was forced to take refuge in Apulia, under the protection of John of Anjou.

In 1459, he then headed to Dalmatia, because his brother-in-law John Torella revealed his alliance with the Angevins in order to obtain the fiefdom of the island of Ischia. In 1477 he then came to Ravenna, asking for the Pope's protection and finally, he lived the last years of his life at his sister's in Rome, where he died on September 23, 1479.

She was buried in the Basilica of St. Mary in Rome, above Minerva but today there are apparently no traces of either the tomb or the headstone.

Today we have little evidence regarding Lucrezia. A Rome, there is a bust of Lucrezia d'Alagno, about three meters tall, and also known as the Talking statue of Madam Lucretia.

A Naples, a street of the same name was dedicated to her. via Lucrezia d'Alagno, which is located near Cathedral Street, and is also represented in a bas-relief of the Angevin Male. Strongly desired by the king, it represents the triumphal entry of King Alfonso V of Aragon in the city. The only female figure depicted, portrays precisely the beloved Lucrezia.