Abstract

[Italo-Spanish legendary narratives as the foundation for constructing the myth of the mafia: legal and literary implications in the contemporary urban context] – The common foundation of the Italian Southern mafias, according to popular legends still widely spread today, begins with the shipwreck of three Spanish brothers off the coast of Favignana Island in the 15th century. These legends constitute an attempt to culturally legitimise a non-state legal system that inherently stands in clear opposition to the State. The three brothers, noble knights, members of the powerful Spanish brotherhood Hermandad de la Garduña, according to the legendary narrative, were fleeing Spain due to a crime of honour. In our research, we will focus on the origins of the legends, their connections to Spanish and Italian literary traditions, their sociological implications, the motivations behind their construction, the dissemination and use of the legends until they achieve mythical status, and above all, the relationship of the legendary narrative with the contemporary development of the Italian mafia. Indeed, despite the now predominantly urban or suburban scenario in which mafia organisations operate, the appeal of the deeds of the three knights – strategically idealised – seems to remain strong. The legal tools in the fight against mafias, therefore, cannot be limited to the punitive sphere but must foster a cultural renewal of the social fabric most exposed to the actions of mafia organisations.