Violante Beatrix of Bavaria

Violante Beatrix, Princess of Bavaria

Violante Beatrix von Bayern (born January 23, 1673 in Munich ; † May 29, 1731 in Florence ) was the youngest daughter of Ferdinand Maria von Bayern and Henriette Adelheid , married by procurationem to Ferdinando de 'Medici , Hereditary Grand Duke since November 25, 1688 of Tuscany, governor of Siena from 1717 until her death in 1731 .

Life

Violante Beatrix grew up in the royal seat of Munich and received a monastic upbringing. She was extremely interested and talented in music, wrote plays, played the harpsichord and flute, and was able to speak and write six languages. After marrying Ferdinand de Medici and the death of her mother-in-law Marguerite Louise d'Orléans , she was the first lady in the Grand Duchy. After a long illness she was sterile and so the marriage remained childless.

After the death of her husband in 1713, Violante Beatrix lost her position in the Grand Duchy as the childless widow of the Hereditary Grand Duke. A return to the court of her brother, Elector Max Emanuel of Bavaria , proved difficult due to the War of the Spanish Succession . Finally she was in 1717 by her father-in-law, Cosimo III. , appointed governor of Siena.

As governor of Siena, she was largely responsible for the city's cultural and economic prosperity. So she arranged the division of the participants in the famous Palio according to districts (so-called contraden ). Furthermore, it banned the castration of choir boys and only allowed female singers to perform instead of the castrati . She also had very good relations with Rome. She was awarded the rare “ Golden Rose ” award by the papal legate .

From 1730 Violante Beatrix's health deteriorated noticeably and she died on May 29, 1731. In addition to the main heir, her nephew Ferdinand Maria , monasteries, churches and orphanages in Bavaria and Italy were considered in her will. In addition, all members of their court received their wages for 20 years.