Gravina

Gravina

Alias: none

 Blazon: party per fess, the 1st azure, two bends or, on the left side of the chief a star of ten points argent; the 2nd azure, a band chequered argent and gules. Crest: a white gull. Motto: SPERO.

 Origins: Normans

 Seat: Caltagirone, Catania, Messina, Palermo

 Notable people: Giacomo, Vincenzo, Ferdinando, Lucio, Giovanni, Ludovico, Emanuele, Girolamo, Saverio, Michele, Sancho, Girolamo, Carlo, Francesco, Francesco Ferdinando, Giovanni, Domenico Antonio, Berengario, Ignazio Sebastiano, Pietro, Bernardo, Antonino, Gaetano, Francesco, Michele, Ferdinando, Federico, Gabriele Maria, Pietro, Girolano, Garsia, Vincent, Antonino, Giuseppe, Francesco-Paolo Ferdinand, Francesco, Luigi, Giuseppe

 Titles: 

• Prince of Palagonia,
• Prince of Gravina,
• Prince of Comitini,

• Duke of Cruillas,
• Duke of S. Michele,

• Marquess of San Germano,
• Marquess of Francofonte

• Baron of S. Agata,
• Baron of S. Giacomo,

 Bibliography: Mango 1912, s.v. 'Gravina'

The Gravina family, an ancient and illustrious Sicilian noble family, proudly claims descent from the Normans, who were rulers of Sicily. Their lineage in Italy began with Silvano, Lord of Gravina, a castle and land in the province of Bari, from which the family took its name. Silvano was the son of Crispino, Lord of Arnes, who descended from Rollo or Robert, the first Duke of Normandy, as documented by Giovanni Tillio and Elando. This lineage was further confirmed by King Martin in a diploma dated November 20, 1405, in Catania, in favor of Giacomo Grina, ancestor of the Sicilian Gravinas.

The family held nobility in various Sicilian cities including Caltagirone, Catania, Messina, and Palermo. Over centuries, they acquired numerous titles and estates, including the principalities of Alcara|Lercara, Castelforte, Comitini, S. Flavia, Gravina, Montevago, Palagonia, Rammacca, and Val di Savoia. Their ducal titles included Alcara, Castel d'Aci, Cruillas, San Michele, and Valverde. They also held marquisates such as Antella, Bifara, Cadera, Delia, S. Elisabetta, Francofonte, and San Germano, along with the countships of S. Giovanni la Punta and Sittafari, and numerous baronies.

Notable members throughout history include Giacomo, who was secretary to King Martin and the first possessor of Belmonte and Palagonia in 1407. Vincenzo served as Captain of Justice in Catania in 1556. Girolamo Gravina e Cruillas was governor of Augusta and Licata in the mid-16th century and later obtained the title of Marquis of Francofonte in 1565. Ferdinando Gravina e Moncada, Marquis of Francofonte, was Vicar General of the kingdom and Praetor of Palermo in 1597. Giovanni Gravina e Cruillas became Duke of San Michele in 1625, and Ludovico became Prince of Palagonia in 1633.

The family branched into several prominent lines, each with its own distinctions. The Gravina Princes of Palagonia and Marquises of Francofonte were hereditary Grandees of Spain of the first class. This branch saw figures like Francesco, a Prince of Palagonia, Knight of the Golden Fleece, and a significant benefactor who founded the College of Nobles and the Hospice for the Poor in Palermo in 1733, leaving his immense fortune to the poor of Palermo, a branch that eventually became extinct in the Grifeo house.

The Gravina Dukes of San Michele and Princes of Montevago descended from Sancio Gravina. This branch included Giovanni, the first Duke of San Michele in 1625, and Giovanni II, who became Prince of Montevago and Marquis of S. Elisabetta, also a hereditary Grandee of Spain in 1721. Federico, a Grand Admiral of the Spanish fleet, tragically died from wounds sustained at the Battle of Trafalgar, representing this branch.

The Gravina Princes of Comitini and Altomonte emerged from Emanuele, son of Sancio, Baron of San Michele. Michele Gravina, the first Prince of Comitini in 1673, was a key figure in this line. This branch is represented by Michele Gravina e Requesens, Prince of Comitini, who held numerous high-ranking positions and received many prestigious honors from various European orders, including the Grand Cross of the Order of San Gennaro and the Legion of Honor of France.

The Gravina Princes of Rammacca descended from Ottavio, son of Sancio, Baron of San Michele, with Sancio being the first Prince of Rammacca in 1688. The Gravina Princes of Gravina stemmed from Girolamo, the first Marquis of Francofonte, who obtained this title in 1644. The Gravina Princes of Val di Savoia and Barons of Armi began with Carlo Gravina e Valle in 1792, a branch that became extinct in Catania. Lastly, the Gravina Dukes of Cruyllas, a title obtained by Girolamo Gravina Cruyllas in 1695, became extinct in the Airoldi house.

Throughout their history, all Sicilian sovereigns honored members of this great family with the title of kinsmen, and King Alfonso even granted them the right to quarter the royal eagle of Aragon in their coat of arms.