Il Regno: A Look at the Thirteenth Annual Battle of Bitonto Commemoration in New York City

A commemorative photo with the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

Members and friends of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith), or Sanfedisti for short, gathered at Amunì Ristorante (7217 3rd Avenue) in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn Tuesday evening for our Thirteenth Annual Battle of Bitonto Commemoration in memory of King Carlo di Borbone’s decisive victory over the Austrians in Apulia on May 25, 1734 and the founding of the Bourbon dynasty of Naples and Sicily (later the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies). As we are wont to do, we honored the fallen on both sides with prayers and toasts. We also celebrated the Feasts of San Gregorio VII, San Giuliano di Sora, and the Infant of Prague, as well as Padre Pio’s birthday.

La bandiere delle Due Sicilie and portrait of King Carlo di Borbone

(L) Carlo di Borbone. (R) Battle of Bitonto (c.1750) by Giovanni Luigi Rocco

Various portraits of His Majesty

A few stamps related to the evening's festivities were exhibited:
(L-R) Several stamps from Spain Depicting King Carlos III; Infant of Prague
and San Gregorio VII from the Vatican; and Padre Pio from Italy

Some information about the battle and the Neapolitan Bourbons was on hand

A festive celebration of Duosiciliano faith, culture and history, revelers were treated to another delicious Sicilian meal by Chef Vincent Dardanello.