Was he poisoned or did he die of natural causes? His death dates back to 1592 but from today he will investigate his death with a real autopsy and with the support of the Ris of Parma. The body in question is that of Alessandro Farnese, third duke of Parma and Piacenza, among the most important characters in the history of Parma. To try to resolve the yellow of his death, the Gazzetta di Parma reports, the body was exhumed yesterday after more than 400 years from the marble sarcophagus located in the crypt of the Steccata.
The remains of Alessandro Farnese and his wife Maria of Portugal have been transferred from the church of the Steccata, where the rulers of the small Emilian state rest, to the Institute of forensic medicine of the Ospedale Maggiore where autopsy examinations have begun today.
The idea of investigating the death of the Duke is by Anna Zaniboni Mattioli, passionate about history, and by Giuseppe Bertini, editor of the book "La storia di Parma" on the Farnese. A project also supported by the Constantinian Order.
"Alessandro Farnese was the key man of Philip II of Spain - explains Anna Zaniboni Mattioli in the Gazzetta di Parma - He who founded modern Belgium and won a series of battles that made history". "He has become the most uncomfortable man in Europe - continued Mattioli - At the time of death, it is assumed that he was suffering from pneumonia, but there is suspicion that he may have been poisoned by the envy he had caused . Lately they have occurred other famous exhumations, including that of the Medici family and Cangrande della Scala. It was clear from the analysis of the body of the latter that he died poisoned ".
