Princess Maria Immacolata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies - Early Life

Early Life

Maria Immacolata was born at the Palace of Caserta. She was baptised with the names Maria Immacolata Luisa; her godmother was Princess Maria Luisa Carlota of Parma. Her father died when she was only four years old and she was raised primarily by her mother.

In 1860, when Maria Immacolata was five, her half-brother King Francis II of the Two Sicilies was defeated by the Expedition of the Thousand. She and her family fled to Rome where they resided briefly at the Quirinal Palace at the invitation of the Pope Pius IX. Her mother rented the Palazzo Nipoti in Rome, and it was there that she lived for the next seven years.

Even as a child Maria Immacolata was known for her piety. She was particularly devoted to her namesake patrons, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. On 24 December 1865, she made her first communion in the chapel in the Roman College where Saint Aloysius made his vows.

In the summer of 1867 Maria Immacolata and her family were vacationing at Albano Laziale when cholera broke out. Her mother died on 8 August, followed by her youngest brother Gennaro on 13 August.

Following their mother's death, Maria Immacolata and her siblings moved into the Palazzo Farnese, the residence of her half-brother King Francis II. She was taught Italian, French, and German. She became a competent artist in both oil and watercolour.

In October 1867 Rome was attacked by the forces of Giuseppe Garibaldi. Maria Immacolata and her sister Maria Pia were given refuge in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City until the papal victory at the Battle of Mentana.

In 1870 Rome was again attacked by the armies of the King of Italy. Maria Immacolata and her sister Maria Pia fled to Bolzano and then to Cannes in France.