The women who made the history of Naples
The women of Naples, those who were once referred to as the “fair sex”, have not only been the custodians of Neapolitan beauty and tradition, but also the protagonists of a constant struggle for rights, freedom and justice. Some of them defied convention, fought against oppression and wrote their names in history, with courage, determination and love for their city. From Matilde Serao to Sophia Loren, via Eleonora Pimentel Fonseca and Maddalena Cerasuolo, here are the stories of women who changed the face of Naples, leaving a legacy that still represents a model to follow.
Eleonora Pimentel Fonseca: the voice of the revolution
Roman by birth and of noble Portuguese origin, Eleonora Pimentel Fonseca was a key figure during the Neapolitan Revolution of 1799, which sought to overthrow the Bourbon regime and establish a democratic republic in Naples. Eleonora did not just take an active part in the clashes, but was also one of the intellectual protagonists of the revolution, so much so that she became editor of the first Neapolitan periodical, Il Monitore Napoletano, which spread republican and democratic ideas throughout the city. Her fight for freedom unfortunately ended tragically with her execution: she was executed by the Bourbons, but her last words, “Perhaps one day it will be useful to remember all this”, still resonate today as a warning for future generations.
Maddalena Cerasuolo: resistance in the heart of Naples
Maddalena Cerasuolo, known as Lenuccia, is one of the most symbolic faces of the Neapolitan resistance during the Second World War. A worker from Sanità, a neighbourhood that saw so many families grow up and suffer, Maddalena joined the fight against the German army during the Four Days of Naples, the famous episode that saw the city rebel against the Nazi occupation in 1943. Maddalena not only took part in the clashes, but also played a leading role in the defence of symbolic places such as the Sanità Bridge, together with her father and partisans from the Materdei and Stella districts. Today, the district’s famous bridge is dedicated to her, as a sign of recognition for her courage and spirit of sacrifice.
Luisa Sanfelice: a revolutionary love
Luisa Sanfelice is one of the most controversial and fascinating figures in Neapolitan history. Born in 1764, when she was only 17 years old she married Andrea Sanfelice, a nobleman with whom she did not, however, have a happy marriage. Her life was marked by tumultuous love affairs and involvement in revolutionary events. During the Neapolitan Revolution of 1799, Luisa became a symbol of resistance, attempting to save the Neapolitan Republic from the Bourbon restoration. Her death sentence, carried out by the Bourbons, made her a martyr to the republican cause. Today, her memory is honoured by Via Luigia Sanfelice, in the Vomero district, a symbol of a Naples that has never stopped fighting for freedom.
Matilde Serao: writing as an instrument of power
Matilde Serao is one of the most influential figures in the history of Italian journalism and literature. Born in Patras, but raised in Naples, she was one of the first women to edit newspapers at a time when publishing was dominated by men. Founder of Il Mattino and Il Giorno, Matilde Serao used the pen as an instrument of change and social denunciation. Her writings, including the famous “Il ventre di Napoli”, offer a vivid insight into the popular life of the city and its contradictions. Her commitment to journalism and literature made her one of the most respected women in Italian culture, a model of intellectual courage and determination.
Sophia Loren: an icon of beauty and talent
Sofia Scicolone, better known as Sophia Loren, is one of the most famous Italian personalities in the world. Born in Pozzuoli in 1934, her film career spanned decades of international success. An icon of beauty and talent, Sophia Loren has carried the name of Naples and Italy into the hearts of millions. Films such as Bread, “Marriage Italian Style” and “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” established her as one of the great actresses in film history. In 2016, she was awarded honorary citizenship of Naples in recognition of her extraordinary connection to the city and her global cultural impact. Sophia Loren is not only a diva of the silver screen, but also a woman who conquered the world with her charisma and inner strength.
A timeless legacy
The stories of these women are just some of the many that have contributed to making Naples a unique city, capable of mixing tradition and modernity, beauty and struggle, love and revolution. Each name we remember with admiration today, from Maddalena Cerasuolo to Sophia Loren, wrote a fundamental chapter in the history of Naples, demonstrating that the Neapolitan “fair sex” always had a fighting heart and an enterprising soul. Their lives are a warning for future generations: it is not just a matter of celebrating the past, but of continuing to fight for a fairer world, where women’s voices can always be heard.