The legend
Dina and Clarenza, two Messinese women, were heroines who, in legend, opposed the assaults of the Angevin forces.Historical background
The Sicilian Vespers, Vespers rebellion, begun in Palermo on Easter Monday, 30 March 1282, outside the Church of the Holy Spirit (Sicily), Church of the Holy Spirit, spread quickly all over the island. Charles I of Anjou tried in vain to put down the uprising with the promise of many reforms. Finally he decided to intervene militarily. With 75,000 men and two hundred ships, in late May 1282 he landed between Catona and Gallico (north of Reggio Calabria, Reggio), on the coast of Calabria opposite Messina, to begin the siege of Messina and to block the flow of support from Reggio to the Sicilian city. The city of the Strait of Messina, Strait was being governed by . He was made Capitano del popolo, Captain of the People and organized the resistance in the city. Charles laid siege to Messina in vain until September, and in his attempt to conquer and occupy the city he spared no civilians, not old people, nor women, nor children. The city, although in its turn exhausted by the siege, repelled the continual attacks with the participation of the whole population.The heroines
During the night of 8 August there was a sneak attack by a combined Italian-French Guelph and Ghibelline, Guelph force on the city. Charles's troops tried to invade the city from the hills. The two women were standing guard on the wall. As soon as they saw the enemies, they did all they could to repel the attack. While Dina continually hurled rocks down on the enemy soldiers, Clarenza rang the bells in the campanile of the Duomo di Messina, Duomo, from which she awakened the whole city. Thus the Messinese rushed to the defense of their city and repelled the attack.Legacy
The heroines have become symbols of courage and of the Messinese civilians' devotion to their city. Today, Dina and Clarenza are found portrayed in Messina at Palazzo Zanca (the city hall) and on the campanile of the Duomo. The 4th Circoscrizione, Ward (formerly the 8th Quartiere, Quarter) of Messina, the oldest and central part of the city, is named for them.References
Further reading
* Giovanni Molonia (ed.), ''Il quartiere ottavo di Messina: Centro storico Dina e Clarenza''. Messina: EDAS, 1994, . * * * * *See also
* Macalda di Scaletta {{Authority control People from Messina People of the War of the Sicilian Vespers Women in 13th-century warfare Women in medieval European warfare 13th-century Italian women Medieval legends Sicilian folklore