Within the framework of Principality of Lucca and Piombino, it is relevant to analyze and understand the different aspects that come together around this topic. From its origins to its influence today, Principality of Lucca and Piombino has been the subject of debate and study in various fields of knowledge. Its impact on society, its relevance in the cultural field and its evolution over time are just some of the dimensions that will be addressed in this article. Likewise, the multiple perspectives and opinions that have emerged around Principality of Lucca and Piombino will be explored, in order to provide a comprehensive and objective view of this issue.
Principality of Lucca and Piombino | |||||||||||||||
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1805–1814 | |||||||||||||||
Status | Client state of the French Empire | ||||||||||||||
Capital | Lucca | ||||||||||||||
Common languages | Italian, French | ||||||||||||||
Religion | Roman Catholic | ||||||||||||||
Government | Principality | ||||||||||||||
Princess | |||||||||||||||
• 1805–1809 | Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi | ||||||||||||||
Historical era | Napoleonic Wars | ||||||||||||||
23 June 1805 | |||||||||||||||
3 March 1814 | |||||||||||||||
Currency | French Franc | ||||||||||||||
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The Principality of Lucca and Piombino was created in July 1805 by Napoleon I for his sister Elisa Bonaparte. It was a state located on the central Italian Peninsula (present-day Italy) and was a client state of Napoleonic France.
The state was the result of the annexation of the Principality of Lucca (est. 22 June 1805), the former Republic of Lucca and occupied by France since late 1799, and the ancient Principality of Piombino, with Elisa the Princess of Piombino since that March. The combined principalities then were ruled as a single monarchy. Elisa was the ruling princess of Piombino and Lucca. Her husband Felice Pasquale Baciocchi became the titular prince of Piombino.
The Constitution of the principality was written by Napoleon on 22 June (1805), establishing a Council of State to assist the princess and a legislative Senate.
The principality adopted the French franc as its currency, though few special local coins were minted.
On 3 March 1809, as part of the Treaty of Fontainebleau, her brother Napoleon created the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, with Elisa ruling as Grand Duchess of all Tuscany from Florence. The region had been annexed to the French Empire two years before, from the former Kingdom of Etruria (1801-1807). Henceforth the Principality of Lucca and Piombino became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, and consequently a territory of the First French Empire. It did have special status, and a prefect was appointed (Antoine-Marie-Pierre de Hautmesnil). However, the territory was never named a Department of France.
In 1814, the Imperial Austrian Army occupied Lucca, ending French control with the fall of Napoleon. Under the Congress of Vienna Piombino was given to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, and Elba to the exiled Napoleon.
Lucca was restored to separate state status as the Duchy of Lucca (1815–1847). The Congress of Vienna (1814–1815) gave the Duchy to exiled Spanish Borbón Maria Louisa (1782-1824), who became the Duchess of Lucca and disregarded the constitution imposed on her by the Congress and governed in an absolutist fashion.