Sky Arte explores Joanna of Aragon's alleged madness in series finale

The sixth and final episode of "La nave dei folli – Oltre la ragione" airs on Sky Arte on Monday, February 17, focusing on Joanna of Aragon (1502–1575). Hosted by Carlo Lucarelli, the episode features psychotherapist Michele Mezzanotte. Joanna, immortalized by Raphael in a painting at the Louvre, was historically labeled "Joanna the Mad." After uniting Castile and Aragon and following the death of her husband Philip the Handsome, she faced a smear campaign to deem her mentally ill. She was confined to the Royal Convent of Santa Clara in Tordesillas for 46 years in isolation and forced religious practices. The episode reexamines her story, suggesting she was not mad but a victim of power maneuvers by her father Ferdinand II and son Charles V to secure the Spanish throne.