Bona Sforza, Queen of Poland, Duchess of Milan and Bari, often accompanied her husband to Birštonas, which she considered one of the most beautiful places. Thanks to Bona Sforza, Lithuania, and Birštonas, in particular, began to grow a wide range of vegetables that were unknown in the countries of northeastern Europe relatively early on, and whose names still indicate their Italian origin: cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, leeks, cannabis, tomatoes, and others.
The Duchess Bona Sforza was one of the most prominent figures of the Lithuanian Renaissance and her contribution to the culture, economy, and politics of Poland, Lithuania, and Italy. She carried out land reform in her estates in Lithuania, an example followed by Sigismund Augustus, who implemented the Volok reform throughout Lithuania. Bona Sforza supported the preparation of the GD statutes in Lithuania. The cultural life of the GDL was particularly stimulated in the mid-16th century, when famous musicians, architects, sculptors, doctors, and other members of Bona Sforza's court settled in the area and received houses and land.
After quarrelling with her son Sigismund Augustus, Bona Sforza took all her money and jewels and left for the principality of Bari in 1556. She was robbed by her servants, mainly by her representative, G.L. Pappacoda, and her illness was aggravated by poison, and she died shortly afterwards.
The surroundings of Birštonas and its beautiful nature so enchanted Barbora that even Sigismund Augustus himself could not resist her whims and gave his wife the Birštonas hunting lodges and estates as dowries. There is a legend that Sigismund and Barbora swore eternal love and fidelity to each other here.
The romance between Barbora, a member of the Radvilas family, one of the most influential noble families of the GDL, and Sigismund Augustus was marked by intrigue from the very beginning. After the sudden death of her first husband Stanislovas Goštautas, Barbora unleashed a long-held passion in her heart and began a stormy affair with Prince Sigismund Augustus, whom she secretly married. When Sigismund Augustus inherited the Polish throne, he declared his marriage, but it was not until May 7, 1550, that Barbora Radvilaitė was crowned, becoming the only Lithuanian woman not to come from a line of rulers to be crowned queen.
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