Alberobello

I was fascinated by Alberobello and its history.
I hope that you find it as interesting...Following where I left off on my last writing...

Giannamtonio Donato, 1483-1554, was a good administrator he had twelve children.
Giangirolamo I, 1521-1592, wasone of the heroes of the Battle of Lepanto which marked the end of the Moslem navy.
Adriano, 1560-1607, the second son of Giangirolamo, Duke of his native Noci and Lord of Castellana. He authorized the building of Casedde in the Selva.
Giulio II, 1576-1616, was a good administrator . He built the first votive chapel. He married Caterina, eldest daughter of Belisario, Duke of Nardo.
Giagirolamo II, 1600-1665, the notorious Squinter of Puglia.
Cosmo di Noci, 1627-1665, the handsome double of the Squinter. He was killed in a dual by Petracone, Duke of Martina Franca.
Giangirolamo III,1646-1681 lover of fine literature. He married Aurora Sanseverino.
Giulio III, 1648-1691, with licentious delicacy instituted a series of Jus, ((laws)), amongst which the
iniquitous  Jus primae noctis ((right to the bridal night)).
Giulio IV, 1691- 1746, was born after the death of his father, and ruled wisely.
Giangirolamo IV, 1724-1773, was a kindly man. He was named the Vicario Generale in the Bari territory and he worked towards the elimination of the conflicts between the Caracciolo, Dukes of Martina Franca and the Aquaviva Counts.
Giulioantonio V, 1742-1801, was the last feudal lord. He was educated to a very high level and married his cousin, Teresa Spinlli. He retired to Conversano to await the reorganization of feudalism.
He died in Naples, leaving five children. The eldest son was given the title, Count of Conversano and Duke of Atri. Although popular opinion tends to pass on the grimmer aspects of history, it is as well to remember that the Illustrious family produced valiant warriors who fought in defence of the Christian Faith, as well as nine cardinals, artists, poets, writers and legislators, and that it is because of the Aquaviva family that the marine towns of southern Italy were defended and kept safe from Saracen and Turkish oppression and raids. One of the first documents of the Selva goes back to 1100, the year in which Roberto Decerano made a donation to the Bishop of Monopoli. In official documents, the Selva is mentioned for the first time in an Act of 1272 when the adjacent boundaries of the Prince of Taranto, which granted the privilege of grazing to the inhabitants of Castellana..