Between Disruption, Violence, and Accommodation: The Quartering Process in Palermo (1580–1650)

In the modern era, it was common for military contingents defending a territory to be quartered among the local population, until authorities recognized the importance of keeping the military physically separated from civilians. In early seventeenth-century Palermo, the quartering of troops shared both similarities and differences with other Italian cities. The viceregal authorities’ aim to separate soldiers from the population unfolded within a complex historical, political, and economic context. Accustomed—and at times compelled—to live in private homes through a rental system that left both soldiers and civilians dissatisfied, the troops frequently clashed with the city’s inhabitants, leading to brawls and various forms of violence. The viceregal government, which spearheaded the quartering process in response to the impossibility of peaceful coexistence, faced institutional and social obstacles that curtailed its plans. These challenges were further compounded by the plague of 1624, which halted all efforts to establish proper garrisons. This article examines the entire process of garrisoning in Palermo, from the initial recognition of its necessity to the construction, reform, and formal establishment of barracks by 1650.