The first great famine of the Modern Age in Sicily (1590-92). Food and economic crisis

The severe production and food crisis of 1590-92 determined, even symbolically, the end of the 16th century, i.e. a long season of economic and demographic growth for the kingdom of Sicily. It was the first great famine of the Modern Age, and the resulting shock caught the kingdom’s leadership completely unprepared, which arranged an emergency organization oriented by clear political choices. The results of the interventions put in place appeared far from the hoped-for goals and, above all, turned out to be very unequal between the various geographical areas of the island. During the emergency, the mortality rate was so high that several portions of the territory were almost depopulated while social tensions exacerbated ungovernability and unrest. At the end of the crisis - not thanks to administrative interventions but thanks to a new and this time abundant harvest - however, the Sicilian economy was exhausted for a long time and began a slow but inexorable decline.

Keywords: Famine, Sicily, Wheat, 16th century, Starvation, Mortality

Salvatore Andrea Galizia, La prima grande carestia d’età moderna in Sicilia (1590-92). Crisi alimentare e crisi economica in "ARCHIVIO STORICO PER LA SICILIA ORIENTALE" 2/2022, pp 5-56, DOI: 10.3280/ASSO2022-002-001