Khair ad-Din was a famous 16th-century pirate who ruled the Mediterranean and plundered ships to his death. His enemies called him Barbarossa because of his red beard. In the political turmoil of the 16th century, Suleiman the Magnificent (who also managed to build the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem) was looking for allies to help him expand the borders of the Ottoman Empire, and so the notorious pirate found himself at the head of the Sultan's naval forces. The interest was mutual, as the Sultan recognized Barbarossa as the ruler of Algeria and a vital ally, and in return, he set aside a tax for the Ottomans from his frequent raids on the ports of Italy and Spain.
Our story begins, of all places, in 1543 during the Italian War, when the Sultan sends Barbarossa's ships towards Marseilles to aid his ally, King Francis I. France, in his stubborn war against Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. The original plan was to reach Italy, but in the end, the forces found that Nice It was an easier and more worthy target, both because of its proximity to Marseille and convenient access to the sea, and because it was under the control of the Duke of Savoy - an ally of Charles V. The Franco-Ottoman fleet with its 120 ships therefore sailed towards Nice. All that Nice could put against them were the local militia, women and children. This is where a local washerwoman named Catherine Segourne came into the picture. (Catherine Segourne in the local Niçoise dialect). Catherine is described in this way by the sources: She was not particularly beautiful, nor the most delicate, one could even say that she was a little clumsy. Catherine used to get up at dawn and carry baskets loaded with fatigue to the Pylon River outside the ancient walls of Nice. Her work was hard and Sisyphean, as she would weave her way to the banks of the river, get down on her knees and scrub the clothes on the rocks. After washing, she would fold the clothes and wring them out with a large clothespin to squeeze out any remaining water. Carrying the heavy baskets and wringing them out gave Catherine muscular arms (something like a shot putter from the former East Germany) and her grip on the bat was known to be firm…but let’s not rush things.
Let's go back to the morning of August 15, 1543, when Catherine awakens to a terrible reality:
The citadel of Nice and the old town were besieged by the Franco-Ottoman force under the command of Barbarossa, who was anchored in the Bay of Villefranche. At the same time, four land batteries rained fire on the towers. When additional forces breached the city walls from behind and stormed towards the Cinque Terre Tower. That day, all the inhabitants defended themselves fiercely, using everything they had to defend their city. Catherine, as is known, was distinguished by her physical strength and courage, and the description states: When she saw one of the Turks making his way up the tower and pulling out the golden crescent flag, she went berserk with rage. And let out a terrible scream that overshadowed the thunder of the cannons. Then she started running amok towards the Turkish soldier, hit him on the head with a stick in her hand and tore the flag from him. The next thing she did, according to several versions, shocked the invaders and the inhabitants of the city alike. Catherine turned her back to the soldiers, bent down and lifted her dress, exposing her buttocks to them. Then she took the flag, tore it up and wiped her buttocks with it before throwing it at them in contempt. The Turks, horrified by the sight of the mad woman and the desecration of their flag, fled as fast as they could. As for the siege, unfortunately, and despite Catherine's actions, the French soldiers did not go far, and upon their return to the city, they made do with looting and destruction for a while until reinforcements arrived from Savoy and they fled the area.
There is no further evidence about Catherine's life and what happened to her, but myths, as we know, have their own dynamics and a developed imagination. And they are the ones who turned the Nice washerwoman into a symbol of heroism and the fortitude of the people of Nice. The legend of Catherine Seguren ignited the imagination of the residents, plays and poems were written about her story, and a monument was also erected on rue Sincaire, in the same place where the tower stood. Catherine Seguren Day is also celebrated there every year, coinciding with St. Catherine's Day on November 25.