Gli investimenti nobiliari nel sacro. Il caso di donna Giovanna d'Austria e del monastero benedettino di Militello (1604-1630).

This article aims to illustrate the foundation of the Benedictine Monastery of Militello made by Giovanna of Austria, illegitimate daughter of don Juan de Austria, and her husband Francesco Branciforte, with the intention to analyze the impact of such construction on the territory and its population. The pursuit of the princes was to make of San Benedetto an economic centre, as well as the core of the community identity of Militello. For this reasons Giovanna chose to give to the Monastery the great family reliquary set and the wealthy library of the prince. This allows us to explore the role that the sacred played in the process of building an aristocratic identity.