Ramón de Cardona

On 12 December 1502 he was awarded the title of Duke of Soma, taking part in 1505, with the role of admiral, in the capture of Mers-el-Kébir.

Cardona also engaged a French carrack with a flotilla of smaller galleys in the coast of Calabria, driving it away from the Spanish-controlled territory.

In 1510 he received instructions on introducing the Inquisition in Naples, a decision which caused a popular revolt; after which the Spanish king canceled the decree.

Giuliano della Rovere and the arrival in Italy of King Francis I of France, Cardona was called back to Spain.

His cenotaph in Bellpuig, executed by Giovanni da Nola, is one of the most outstanding examples of Renaissance art in the region.

Ramón Folc de Cardona-Anglesola.
Tomb of Ramon de Cardona, by Giovanni da Nola .
Portrait of Doña Isabel de Requesens, wife of Ramón de Cardona by Raphael .