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49-403: The Florio family originally came from Bagnara , a town in the province of Calabria . Paolo Florio (1772-1807) saw no future in his hometown after an earthquake in 1783 and left in late 1799 with his wife Giuseppina Saffiotti, and their several-month-old son Vincenzo and Paolo's brother Ignazio (1776-1828) for Palermo , where he started a shop selling herbs, spices and quinine . The shop became

98-500: A late-eighteenth century building is Carmine's Church, which was rebuilt after the earthquakes. On 24 August 1860 followed by ten official Giuseppe Garibaldi fighting for Italian unification reached Bagnara where they were host by a member of the National Guard. In the past the name was just Bagnara, but after the 1861 and unification of Italy, it became Bagnara Calabra to distinguish it from Bagnara di Romagna . Bagnara

147-515: A much faster pace in the family business, considerably expanding the scope of his activities well beyond the drug and spice shop. He gave an impulse to the family businesses by expanding the tuna fishing and its canned preparation in Palermo . In 1832 he established a factory of Marsala wine and, in 1841, the Oretea foundry. As a ship owner he promoted the development of maritime communications with

196-563: A sequel, The Triumph of the Lions (Italian: L'inverno dei leoni ). A streaming series adaption of Auci’s novel titled The Lions of Sicily was announced in 2022; produced by Disney+ and directed by Paolo Genovese , it stars Michele Riondino , Miriam Leone , Donatella Finocchiaro and Vinicio Marchioni . 37°47′13″N 12°26′35″E  /  37.7869142°N 12.443026°E  / 37.7869142; 12.443026 Bagnara Calabra Bagnara Calabra (or simply Bagnara )

245-401: A success because of the pure quinine they supplied. When Paolo died in 1807, Ignazio continued the business and took charge of Vincenzo's education. The financial legacy of Vincenzo and his uncle tripled in the decade between 1807 and 1817. The childless Ignazio died in 1829 and left all his assets to Paolo's son, his nephew Vincenzo Florio Sr. (1799-1868). Vincenzo Florio Sr. immediately set

294-847: Is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Reggio Calabria in Calabria , southern Italy . It is located in the hills facing the Tyrrhenian Sea on the southern tip of the region, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 25 kilometres (16 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria . The first organized village for which we have historical proof was around 1085 AD, with edification of "S. Mary's V.G. and XII Apostles Abbey Nullius" ordered by Roger I of Sicily . Other historical assumptions supported by indirect proofs allow dating much further back, to being directly connected with Mamertini (sons of war-god Mars), following

343-516: Is a part of Strada statale 18 Tirrena Inferiore . After being blown up by German mines on 4 September 1943, the bridge was rebuilt in 1943 by the Allies with the cooperation of the women of Bagnara Calabra. A popular legend relate that Garibaldi stopped twice to drink water on the same fountain. A Palladian style fountain was edificated on 1866 in order to remember Garibaldi in Bagnara. In

392-725: The 29th Panzergrenadier Division 's 15th Panzergrenadier Regiment, and began the German retreat. On 3 September, most of this unit was in prepared positions at Bagnara, some 40 km (25 mi) from the landings which it had orders to hold until 6 September. On 3 September 1943 the British Eighth Army 's XIII Corps , composed of the 1st Canadian and British 5th Infantry Divisions and commanded by Lieutenant-General Miles Dempsey , launched Operation Baytown under General Bernard Montgomery 's direction. At 4:30 AM on 4 September 1943

441-547: The First Punic War . Supporting this theory, ancient coins with the likeness of Mars were discovered and documented in this area around 1800. Roman presence is historically proven by the ancient "Via Capua-Regium", also known as Via Popilia , built in 132 BC, through Bagnara's territory. During the Roman era, the village was known as "Balnearum", at that time a thermal spring used by Romans. Others claim that Bagnara

490-807: The Societa in Accomandita Piroscafi Postali-Ignazio & Vicenzo Florio (Florio Line) with a fleet of nine steamers. In 1881, Ignazio Florio Sr. merged with the Rubattino company in Genoa , giving rise to the Navigazione Generale Italiana (NGI), which operated a line on New York City . The company also ran to Mediterranean and Black Sea ports, Canada, India, the Far East and South America. At

539-537: The dialect poet Trilussa , the composers Pietro Mascagni and Ruggero Leoncavallo , the painter Ettore De Maria Bergler , the sculptor Pietro Canonica , the novelist Matilde Serao and the writer Robert de Montesquiou . In the same years, Franca Florio also met the German Emperor Wilhelm II , who became one of her most prestigious admirers. He nicknamed Donna Franca with the appellation of " Star of Italy " due to her beauty. Subsequently,

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588-588: The "merchant princes of Europe", the family was part of the narrow elite of the great Italian entrepreneurs and was at the top of the international high-society, a reference point in Palermo not only for the high aristocracy, but also for the rulers who increasingly visited the city in the second half of the 19th century. At his death in 1891 Ignazio Sr. left his two sons, Ignazio Florio Jr. and Vincenzo Florio , with assets valued at around 100 million lire. The eldest son, Ignazio Junior, succeeded his father in running

637-819: The Emperor and his wife, Augusta Victoria , went various times to Palermo. In her palace in Palermo Donna Franca also welcomed the British King Edward VII and his wife, Alexandra of Denmark , the Russian Empress Alexandra Feodorovna , the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria , and celebrities such as Oscar Wilde , Greta Garbo , Grace Kelly and Maria Callas . After the bankruptcy of Ignazio Florio Jr., Donna Franca retreated to

686-573: The Florio winery ( Cantine Florio ) has been in continuous Marsala wine production since then. Florio became the first Italian producer of Marsala wine. His winery was in between the ones of John Woodhouse and Benjamin Ingham (1784-1861), the original British pioneers in the Marsala wine trade. He built splendid cellars in the town's tuff rock in which to produce and conserve the wine. The winery carries

735-643: The Fonderia Oretea, the Banco Florio (Sicily's correspondent bank of the Rothschilds ), and most importantly 40% of the Navigazione Generale Italiana . After her marriage with Ignazio Florio Jr. , Donna Franca became a prominent figure of the European social life. In the early 20th century, thanks to the influence of the Florio family, Sicily (especially Palermo and the town of Taormina )

784-475: The Sicilian high bourgeoisie looking for nobility. Therefore, on 11 February 1893, at the age of 19, Franca married the entrepreneur and shipowner Ignazio Florio Jr., heir of the Florio family's economic empire. The assets of Ignazio Florio Jr. included the Florio winery (leading company in the production of Marsala wine), the whole Aegadian Islands archipelagos with a large tuna catching and processing plant,

833-548: The Villa Silviati, belonging to the husband of her daughter Costanza Igiea Florio, in the frazione of Migliarino Pisano, in the town of Vecchiano ( Pisa ). She died on 10 November 1950 and was buried in the Cemetery of Santa Maria di Gesù , Palermo. The famous Giovanni Boldini 's Portrait of Donna Franca Florio was commissioned by Ignazio Florio. Boldini's initial, beautifully provocative version, painted in 1901

882-445: The beginning of a dramatic decline. From the highs during the belle époque, with the splendours of the family and the triumphs of Ignazio's beautiful wife, the mythical Franca Florio , sung about by poets and immortalised by the most prestigious artists of the time. To the lows of the bankruptcy of the family's immense economic empire, which between revivals and relapses would slowly wear away between 1908 and 1935, finally leaving them in

931-456: The beginning of the 1900s, as international competition increased and the economic importance was moving to the north of Italy, to the cities of Milan , Turin and Genoa , the family had to face an increasingly deteriorated economic reality resulting in bankruptcies and closures of activity. Despite the increasing economic difficulties, the Florios maintained their expensive way of life. After

980-478: The central square of the village is located a marble monument to remember Vincenzo Fondacaro . It is a marmoreal representation of the legendary "Leone di Caprera",a small 9 meter boat which on 1880-1881 Fondacaro and his crew recorded a brave endeavour crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Bagnara Calabra borders the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west. It is located by a bay, embraced by overhanging hills which extend to

1029-557: The cliffs down to the sea, within a Calabrian coastal area known as the "Violet Coast". Bagnara looks out on north-east Sicily , across the Strait of Messina . The Aeolian Islands can be seen to the west across the Tyrrhenian Sea. The municipality of Bagnara Calabra contains territorial subdivisions, mainly boroughs and hamlets called " frazioni ", such as Ceramida, Solano, and Pellegrina. Bagnara Calabra borders

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1078-554: The continent, building numerous steamers. Florio also invested in the sulfur trade, mainly to the British Empire . In 1840, he co-founded Anglo-Sicilian Sulfur Company Limited in Palermo with the British entrepreneurs Benjamin Ingham – also engaged in Marsala wineries – and Agostino Porry, for the production and marketing of sulfuric acid and sulfur derivatives. In 1841, he founded the Oretea foundry . His business acumen

1127-608: The cultivation of wine grapes. It was a highly esteemed area of Zibibbo vineyards. This farming has been lost because of emigration. It is also a tourist center in the summer, and recently even in other seasons Bagnara has become an appreciated location for passionate flying paragliders who are attracted by an amazing landscape. - Railway station - - Highway - Franca Florio Franca Florio ( Palermo , 27 December 1873 – Migliarino Pisano , 10 November 1950), born Francesca Paola Jacona della Motta dei baroni di San Giuliano and commonly called Donna Franca ,

1176-433: The dress Donna Florio wears is more contemporary to the fashion of the 1910's than 1901. Recent x-ray analyzes has discovered that there is another layer of paint beneath the central and lower area of current version of the portrait, raising the strong possibility that it was the long sleeved, foot length dress that was depicted in the original version of the painting. After two auction ( Christie's 1995 and Sotheby's 2005),

1225-648: The emblem of a lion. Vincenzo Sr. pioneered in tuna fishing and its canned preparation in Palermo. In 1841, he rented all the tuna fishing grounds, then an important sector of activity in Sicily, at the Aegadian Islands , launching what would become one of the most lucrative business activities of the Florio family. Historians attribute Vincenzo Florio with introducing in Sicily the system of fishing with fixed nets and conservation under oil, thus increasing his trade and financial wealth. The Tonnara di Favignana

1274-474: The family business. He acted as a patron of the arts in Palermo, financing and monitoring the progress of various projects and making the Sicilian city an important meeting point for the international jet set of the time. His wife, Francesca Paola Jacona della Motta dei baroni di San Giuliano was known as the " Queen of Palermo ", as she became a prominent protagonist of the Belle Époque in Palermo . However, In

1323-737: The financial basis and the engineering plans for the "Brescia Motor Week" in Brescia . He had finished third in the 1904 edition, and generously funded the 1905 race, which was renamed Coppa Florio . He donated 50,000 lire and a cup for the winner. In 1906, he created the Targa Florio , one of the oldest endurance car races in the world. The first Targa Florio covered 277 miles through multiple hairpin curves on treacherous mountain roads where severe changes in climate frequently occurred and racers even faced bandits and irate shepherds. The race passed through many small villages, and fans lined up along

1372-515: The fisherman hunts the Cavalier (as the swordfish is called by the oldest fishermen) with a harpoon. Between 1950 and 1970 the boats were modified with engines, but previously - for thousands of years - the ancient fishermen used sails. Before 1950 this kind of swordfish fishing boat was made by hand, with boats racing to chase swordfish. Bagnara has traditionally been a fishing and agriculture center, with several terraces converted to vineyards for

1421-406: The following municipalities: Melicuccà , Sant'Eufemia d'Aspromonte , Scilla , and Seminara . Bagnara is known in Calabria and Italy as the maincenter of production of a renowned torrone which it has awarded with the quality brand of "I.G.P.". But overall the village is known for the ancient and rare way of fishing for swordfish , with an ancient boat known as felucca or passerella , where

1470-598: The most squalid and painful misery. The rise and decline of the Florio family is mentioned as a good example of the Buddenbrooks syndrome, referring to the novel Buddenbrooks by German author Thomas Mann , the 1929 Nobel Prize in Literature , published in 1901. The Buddenbrooks syndrome is used by business historians to explain the inability of a family business dynasty to survive beyond the third generation: The first generation of proprietors supposedly possesses

1519-575: The painting has been on display at the Grand Hotel Villa Igiea in Palermo since 2006. In 2017 it gone to auction again. It is said that the necklace in the painting, with 365 pearls, one for each day of the year, was a present from the husband, begging forgiveness for his many affairs. Franca Florio, regina di Palermo is the title of a full-length narrative ballet in two acts, with music by Lorenzo Ferrero and scenario, choreography and staging by Luciano Cannito. A commission by

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1568-458: The pioneering character, striving for money and creating a successful business. The second generation, it is alleged, exerts itself in strengthening the firm and increasing its recognition and social prestige. The third generation sometimes lacks dedication to the management of the family business, preferring leisure and non-productive activities. Founded in Marsala in 1832 by Vincenzo Florio Sr.,

1617-399: The problems related to the division of inheritance that could have resulted in the liquidation of the flourishing enterprise. In 1874, he purchased the island of Favignana and the whole archipelago of the Aegadian Islands in order to expand the tuna business. With the merger of the Florio fleet into the Navigazione Generale Italiana when The New York Times described the Florios as

1666-524: The retreating Germans blew up the Caravilla Bridge. On 4 September, the British 5th Infantry Division reached Bagnara Calabra. Bagnara preserves evidence of this British presence since the rail station area of the village is commonly known as Rione Inglese (English Quarter). Historical monument It is located in the historic fishermen district known as Marinella. In ancient times the Tower

1715-430: The roads with no protection from the race cars. It was suspended in 1978 because of safety concerns. Today, the race continues with a different circuit as a minor racing event. In 2019, Stefania Auci wrote an historical novel about the family, The Florios of Sicily (Italian: I leoni di Sicilia ), which was a surprise best seller, selling over one million copies and being released in 35 countries. In 2021, she released

1764-458: The sale of Villa Florio all'Olivuzza in 1924, the family moved to Rome. Between 1925 and 1935 the economic collapse deprived Ignazio Junior of all his assets. In 1935 Donna Franca's jewels and their furniture and real estate were auctioned in Palermo. With the generation of the sons of Ignazio Jr., the third Ignazio and Vincenzo, the House of Florio reached the height of fame and prestige, but also

1813-568: The time of the merger, the Florio Line was already a major company with a monopoly of the trade in the Mediterranean. The New York Times described the Florios as the "merchant princes of Europe". The Florio Line brought 50 ships into the merger, while Rubattino contributed 40. The Cantiere navale di Palermo (Palermo Shipyard) in Palermo , Sicily, was founded in 1897 by Ignazio Florio Jr. , grandson of Vincenzo Florio. Construction

1862-450: Was Carlo Di Rudinì, the son of the former prime minister of Italy Antonio Di Rudinì , but the main shareholder and financier was Ignazio Florio Jr. The political direction of the newspaper was generally republican and progressive , representing the Sicilian entrepreneurial middle class. Vincenzo Florio Jr., an automobile enthusiast, created a real racing team with Felice Nazzaro , and organised races that remained famous. He initiated

1911-523: Was Pietro Jacona della Motta, baron of San Giuliano, and her mother was Costanza Notarbartolo di Villarosa, sister of Pietro Notarbartolo , duke of Villarosa . Her maternal ancestry also included the House of Montcada and the Lucchesi-Palli , princes of Campofranco . Despite the impoverishment of the family, the prestigious ancestry of Donna Franca made her a good catch, especially in the eyes of

1960-682: Was a friend of the Italian writer and poet Gabriele D'Annunzio , leading figure of the Decadent movement in Italy, who described her as "a unique woman. A creature whose every movement possesses a divine rhythm". In 1901 Donna Franca met the painter Giovanni Boldini , an internationally renowned portraitist who used to work especially in Paris and London. Therefore, Boldini painted the famous " Portrait of Franca Florio ". Other artists connected to her were

2009-482: Was also heavily hit by the 1908 Messina earthquake . During World War II Bagnara Calabra was involved in operations in southern Italy, which began the Allied invasion of Italy . Starting 21 July 1943, some parts of the village were lightly bombed by the Allies, in order to attack Wehrmacht forces that were preparing to retreat. Albert Kesselring and his staff strategically chose not to defend Calabria, leaving only

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2058-423: Was an Italian noblewoman, socialite and a prominent protagonist of the Belle Époque . Descendant of a Sicilian noble family, she married the entrepreneur Ignazio Florio Jr. , member of the wealthy Florio family. She was nicknamed " Queen of Palermo ". Francesca Paola Jacona della Motta was born in Palermo on 27 December 1873. She belonged to an impoverished family of the Sicilian high aristocracy. Her father

2107-583: Was an important meeting place for the European wealthiest elite. With her yachts called Sultana and Aegusa , Donna Franca was able to attend the social life not only in Sicily, but even in the Côte d'Azur . Other places frequented by Donna Franca were Berlin , Paris , London , etc. In 1902 she became lady-in-waiting of the Queen consort of Italy Elena of Montenegro . Donna Franca was also an art patron. She

2156-614: Was established in 1859 by the Florio family and was in operation until 1977. It was one of the largest tuna fisheries in the Mediterranean . In 1874, Ignazio Florio Sr. purchased the island of Favignana and the whole archipelago of the Aegadian Islands in order to expand the tuna business started by his father. In October 1861, soon after Sicily was incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy , Vincenzo Florio Sr. founded

2205-498: Was founded by Phoenicia around the 8th century BC, but there's no archaeological proof supporting this theory. Since 1130 AD, Bagnara was part of the Kingdom of Sicily established by Roger II . The village was almost completely destroyed by the 1783 Calabrian earthquakes and tsunami. It is recorded as the most powerful in the area, killing 59% of the population and collapsing the Abbey Nullius. The only evidence left of

2254-605: Was known as the "32nd Tower of the Calabria Ulterior". It was built as a part of a military system of several watchtowers to guard against the incursions of Saracens along the Tyrrhenian coast. This Bridge is famous for a distinctive trait. It is probably the only one in Italy (perhaps on the World), since the same road cross the same bridge (passing down to two arches and turning up the bridge) three times. It

2303-579: Was not approved of by Ignazio Florio. He reportedly found it risqué and "unnatural and unreal" looking and demanded that Boldini lengthen the dress and add full sleeves with wide black lace. Once Boldini had reworked the work to oblige his commissioner's discontent it was exhibited at the 1903 Venice Biennial . The portrait remained like this until 1924 when, with the demise of the Florio family's wealth, Baron Maurice de Rothschild acquired it. Rothschild engaged Boldini to restore it to its original sensual version. This story has however come under scrutiny, as

2352-508: Was protracted and Florio was forced to sell his stake in the shipyard to Attilio Odero ( it ) in 1905, Florio's partner in NGI, and owner of Cantiere navale di Sestri Ponente and Cantiere della Foce in Genoa , and a partner in Terni steelworks. The newspaper L'Ora was founded on the initiative of the Florio family in Palermo. The first issue was published on April 22, 1900. The formal owner

2401-483: Was such that he became the intermediary for the city of Palermo of the bank of the Rothschild family and as the founder of Banco Florio , he himself became a renowned banker in Palermo and Sicily with many aristocratic families and the upper middle class. His son Ignazio Florio Sr. (1838-1891) considerably developed all the other industries founded by his father. After the death of his father, in 1868, he resolved

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