Visconti is the family name of two important
ItalianItaly , officially the Italian Republic , is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia. Italy shares its northern, Alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia...
nobleNobility is a state-privileged status which is generally hereditary, but which may also be personal only. Titles of nobility are usually associated with present or former monarchies. The term originally referred to those who were "known" or "notable" and was applied to the highest social class in...
dynasties of the
Middle AgesThe Middle Ages of European history is a period of European history covering roughly a millennium in the 5th century through 16th centuries. More specific starting and ending points are sometimes adopted by scholars to suit their respective specializations or current focus...
. Two distinct Visconti families are known: the first one (chronologically) in the
Republic of PisaThe Republic of Pisa was a de facto independent state centered on the Tuscan city of Pisa during the late tenth and eleventh centuries. It rose to become an economic powerhouse, a commercial center whose merchants dominated Mediterranean and Italian trade for a century before being surpassed and...
in the mid twelfth century, who achieved prominence first in Pisa, then in
SardiniaSardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . The area of Sardinia is . The nearest land masses to the island are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Tunisia, and the Spanish Balearic Islands...
, where they became rulers of
GalluraThe Giudicato of Gallura was one of four Sardinian giudicati of the Middle Ages. These were de facto independent states ruled by judges bearing the title iudex . Gallura, a name which comes from gallus, meaning rooster , was subdivided into ten curatoriae governed by curatores under the judge...
; the second and more important one rose to power in
MilanMilan in Italy, is the capital of the region of Lombardia and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while the urban area is the fifth largest in the E.U. with an estimated population of 4.3 million...
, where they left a permanent historical mark ruling the city from 1277 to 1447 and leaving several collateral branches still extant.
Any link between the two families in Pisa-Gallura and Milan has yet to be proved.
The first Visconti of note in Pisa was Alberto, who bore the title
patricianPatricianship, the quality of belonging to a patriciate, began in the ancient world, where cities such as Ancient Rome had a class of patrician families whose members were the only people allowed to exercise many political functions...
.
Visconti is the family name of two important
ItalianItaly , officially the Italian Republic , is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia. Italy shares its northern, Alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia...
nobleNobility is a state-privileged status which is generally hereditary, but which may also be personal only. Titles of nobility are usually associated with present or former monarchies. The term originally referred to those who were "known" or "notable" and was applied to the highest social class in...
dynasties of the
Middle AgesThe Middle Ages of European history is a period of European history covering roughly a millennium in the 5th century through 16th centuries. More specific starting and ending points are sometimes adopted by scholars to suit their respective specializations or current focus...
. Two distinct Visconti families are known: the first one (chronologically) in the
Republic of PisaThe Republic of Pisa was a de facto independent state centered on the Tuscan city of Pisa during the late tenth and eleventh centuries. It rose to become an economic powerhouse, a commercial center whose merchants dominated Mediterranean and Italian trade for a century before being surpassed and...
in the mid twelfth century, who achieved prominence first in Pisa, then in
SardiniaSardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . The area of Sardinia is . The nearest land masses to the island are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Tunisia, and the Spanish Balearic Islands...
, where they became rulers of
GalluraThe Giudicato of Gallura was one of four Sardinian giudicati of the Middle Ages. These were de facto independent states ruled by judges bearing the title iudex . Gallura, a name which comes from gallus, meaning rooster , was subdivided into ten curatoriae governed by curatores under the judge...
; the second and more important one rose to power in
MilanMilan in Italy, is the capital of the region of Lombardia and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while the urban area is the fifth largest in the E.U. with an estimated population of 4.3 million...
, where they left a permanent historical mark ruling the city from 1277 to 1447 and leaving several collateral branches still extant.
Any link between the two families in Pisa-Gallura and Milan has yet to be proved.
Visconti of Pisa and Sardinia
The first Visconti of note in Pisa was Alberto, who bore the title
patricianPatricianship, the quality of belonging to a patriciate, began in the ancient world, where cities such as Ancient Rome had a class of patrician families whose members were the only people allowed to exercise many political functions...
. Alberto's son, Eldizio, bore the titles patrician and
consul-Ancient Rome:During the time of ancient Rome as a Republic, the consuls were the highest civil and military magistrates, serving as the heads of government for the Republic. New consuls were elected every year. There were two consuls, and they ruled together...
from 1184 to 1185. It was Eldizio's sons, Lamberto and
Ubaldo IUbaldo I Visconti was the de jure overlord of the Giudicato of Cagliari from 1217. He was a member of the Visconti family of Pisa, controlling Cagliari on behalf of his brother, who was judge jure uxoris from 1218....
, who brought the family to the height of its influence in Pisa and Sardinia. Both of them carried the title of patrician and each served a term as
podestàPodestà is the name given to certain high officials in many Italian cities, since the later Middle Ages, mainly as Chief magistrate of a city state , but also as a local administrator, the representative of the Emperor.The term derives from the Latin word potestas, meaning power...
.
In 1212, there was complete anarchy in Pisa as various factions, pro- and anti-Visconti, warred over the political authority. In mid-January 1213,
William I of CagliariWilliam I was the giudice of Cagliari from 1188 to his death.William was one of the greatest of medieval Sardinian giudici...
led a coalition of anti-Visconti forces to victory in battle near
MassaMassa is a town and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, the administrative centre of the province of Massa-Carrara. It is located in the Frigido River Valley, near the Alpi Apuane, some 5 kilometers from the Tyrrhenian Sea....
over the combined forces of
LuccaLucca is a city in Tuscany, central Italy, situated on the river Serchio in a fertile plain near the Ligurian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Lucca...
and the Visconti under Ubaldo. Afterwards, Pisa divided power among four
rectorThe word rector has a number of different meanings; they indicate an academic, religious or political administrator...
es, one of which was a Visconti. The Visconti of Sardinia continued to take a part in Pisan politics to the end of the century, but their influence there was greatly diminished after 1213.
In Sardinia Eldizio had married a daughter of
Torchitorio III of CagliariTorchitorio III , born Peter, was the Judge of Cagliari from October 1163 to his deposition and arrest in 1188, after which he was never heard of again....
, who became the mother of Lamberto and Ubaldo. In 1207, Lamberto married
ElenaElena was the daughter and successor of Barisone II of Gallura and was named after her mother of the Lacon family. She ruled Gallura from the death of her father until her own death, though she was eclipsed by her husband after 1207....
, the heiress of
Barisone II of GalluraBarisone II was the Judge of Gallura from about 1170 to his death. He was the son of Constantine III. His name appears in acts of 1182 and 1184....
, thus securing control over the northeastern corner of Sardinia with his capital at
CivitaCivita is a Norwegian liberal think tank which gains support from, among others, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise. In the beginning, it was led by Terje Svabø, but profiled Conservative Party politician Kristin Clemet took over on November 16, 2006 after having central roles in many...
. In 1215, he and Ubaldo established their hegemony over the
Giudicato of CagliariThe Giudicato of Cagliari was one of the four Sardinian giudicati of the Middle Ages. It covered the entire south and central east portion of the island and was composed of thirteen subdivisions called curatoriae. To its north and west lay Arborea and north and on the east lay Gallura and Logudoro...
in the south of the island as well. Through advantageous marriages, Lamberto's son,
Ubaldo IIUbaldo II Visconti, son of Lamberto di Eldizio and Elena de Lacon, was the Judge of Gallura from 1225 to his death in 1238. He ruled every giudicato on the island of Sardinia at one point or another save Arborea....
, even secured power in Logudoro for a time. By mid century, Pisan authority was unopposed in Sardinia thanks to the Visconti, who were allied by marriage with the other great families of Pisa (Gherardeschi and
CapraiaCapraia, called Capraria in ancient times, is an island of Italy, part of the Tuscan Archipelago, off the northwest coast, belonging to the Province of Livorno. It is 62 km from the city of Livorno by sea, and 32 km northwest of the island of Elba; it is slightly closer to the French...
) and Sardinia (Bas-Serra).
The Visconti of Gallura used a cock as their symbol (Gallura meaning 'land of cocks'), whereas the later Visconti of Milan used a
serpentThe Biscione , also known as the Vipera , is a heraldic charge showing in Argent an Azure serpent in the act of consuming a human; usually a child and sometimes described as a Moor. It has been the emblem of the Italian Visconti family for around a thousand years. Its origins are unknown...
swallowing a Saracen, or, according to another version, on the contrary giving life to a child. This symbol is still closely connected with
MilanMilan in Italy, is the capital of the region of Lombardia and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while the urban area is the fifth largest in the E.U. with an estimated population of 4.3 million...
.
Visconti rulers of Gallura
- Lambert (1207 – 1225)
- Ubaldo (1225 – 1238)
- John
John Visconti was the Judge of Gallura from 1238 to his death. He was a member of the Visconti dynasty of Pisa....
(1238 – 1275)
- Nino
Ugolino Visconti , better known as Nino, was the Giudice of Gallura from 1275 or 1276 to his death. He was a son of Giovanni Visconti and nephew of Ugolino della Gherardesca. He was the first husband of Beatrice, daughter of Obizzo II d'Este...
(1275 – 1298) his wife Beatrice d'Este (d. 15 September 1334) married secondly on 24 June 1300 to Galeazzo I ViscontiGaleazzo I Visconti was lord of Milan from 1322 to 1327.He was the son of Matteo I Visconti and Bonacosa Borri. On June 24 1300 he married Beatrice d'Este, daughter of Obizzo II d'Este...
[1277-1328}, Lord of Milan.,
- Joanna
Joanna Visconti was the titular Judge of Gallura from 1298. She was the daughter of Ugolino Visconti and Beatrice, daughter of Obizzo II d'Este...
(1298 – 1308) stepsister of Azzone ViscontiAzzone Visconti was lord of Milan from 1329 until his death. He is considered the founder of the state of Milan, which later became a duchy.thumb|left|Azzone Visconti.-Biography:...
Visconti of Milan
The effectual founder of the Visconti of Milan,
OttoneOttone Visconti was an archbishop of Milan, a member of the Visconti family and the founder of their rule in Milan.thumb|Ottone Visconti in a hypothetical 19th century drawing.-Biography:...
, wrested control of the city from the rival
Della TorreThe Della Torre were an Italian noble family who rose to prominence in Lombardy during the 12th-14th centuries, until they held the seigniory of Milan before being ousted by the Visconti....
family in 1277.
The family, once risen to power, loved to claim legendary versions about its origins. Fancy genealogies were in vogue at the time, while established facts reflect quite sober and almost humble beginnings in the lesser nobility. The branch of the Visconti family that came to rule Milan was originally entrusted with the lordship of Massino (nowadays
Massino ViscontiMassino Visconti is a municipality in the Province of Novara, in the Italian region of Piedmont, located about 110 km northeast of Turin and about 40 km north of Novara...
), a hamlet in lovely position over Lago Maggiore, where they were in charge since the twelfth century as archiepiscopal vassals.
It is thought that the Milanese Visconti had their origins in a family of
capitanei (cfr. the modern surname
CattaneoCattaneo is a surname, and may refer to:* Adelardo Cattaneo* Carlo Cattaneo* Francesco Costanzo Cattaneo* Gualdo Cattaneo* Hernán Cattáneo* Peter Cattaneo* Santo Cattaneo...
) whom archbishop Landulf of Milan (978-998) had granted certain feudal holdings known as
caput plebis (at the head, likely in geographical and not hierarchical sense, of the
pieve, an ecclesiastical lesser subdivision). A document from the year 1157 says the Visconti were holders of the captaincy of Marliano (today
Mariano ComenseMariano Comense is a town in the province of Como, Lombardy, Italy. It has c. 25,000 inhabitants and is one of the most important cities of the Brianza. It received the honorary title of city with a presidential decree on February 29, 1996.
...
); late chronicler
Galvano FiammaGalvano Fiamma was an Italian Domincan and chronicler of Milan.He was chaplain to the Milanese lord Galeazzo II Visconti. His numerous historical writings include the Chronica Galvagnana, the Chronicon extravagans de antiquitatibus Mediolani, the Chronicon maius, and the Manipolus florum seu...
confirms this version. Decades before that, surely before 1070, they had gained the public office of
viscountA viscount is a member of the European nobility whose comital title ranks usually, as in the British peerage, above a baron, below an earl or a count .-Etymology:...
, to be later inherited down the male line (Biscaro, ASL, "I maggiori dei Visconti di Milano"). Soon the family dispersed into several branches, some of which were entrusted fiefs far off from the Lombard
metropolisA metropolis is a big city, in most cases with over half a million inhabitants in the city proper, and with a population of at least one million living in its urban agglomeration. Big cities belonging to a larger urban agglomeration, but which are not the core of that agglomeration, are not...
; the one which gave the Medieval lords of Milan is said to be descended from
Umberto (d. in the first half of the 12th century).
The Visconti ruled Milan until the early
RenaissanceThe Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Florence in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe...
, first as Lords, then, from 1395, with the mighty
Gian GaleazzoGian Galeazzo Visconti , son of Galeazzo II Visconti and Bianca di Savoia, was the first Duke of Milan and ruled the late-medieval city just before the dawn of the Renaissance...
who almost managed to unify Northern Italy and
TuscanyTuscany is a region in North-Central Italy. It has an area of and a population of about 3.6 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence.Tuscany is known for its landscapes and its artistic legacy...
, as
DukesThe Duchy of Milan was a state in northern Italy from 1395 to 1797. It was part of the Holy Roman Empire, by then a decentralised entity, and was ruled by several dynasties, most of them major powers from outside Italy...
. Visconti rule in Milan ended with the death of
Filippo Maria ViscontiFilippo Maria Visconti, was ruler of Milan from 1412 to 1447.-Biography:Filippo Maria Visconti, who had become nominal ruler of Pavia in 1402, succeeded his assassinated brother Gian Maria Visconti as Duke of Milan in 1412. They were the sons of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Gian Maria's predecessor, by...
in 1447. He was succeeded, after a
short-lived republicThe Golden Ambrosian Republic was a short-lived government founded in Milan by members of the University of Pavia with popular support...
, by his son-in-law
Francesco I SforzaFrancesco I Sforza was an Italian condottiero, the founder of the Sforza dynasty in Milan, Italy. He was the brother of Alessandro, with whom he often fought.-Early life:...
, who established the reign of the
House of SforzaSforza was a ruling family of Renaissance Italy, based in Milan.-History:The dynasty was founded by Muzio Attendolo, called Sforza , a condottiero from Romagna serving the Angevin kings of Naples...
.
Visconti rulers of Milan
- Ottone Visconti
Ottone Visconti was an archbishop of Milan, a member of the Visconti family and the founder of their rule in Milan.thumb|Ottone Visconti in a hypothetical 19th century drawing.-Biography:...
, Archbishop of Milan (1277 – 1294)
- Matteo I Visconti (1294 – 1302; 1311 – 1322)
- Galeazzo I Visconti
Galeazzo I Visconti was lord of Milan from 1322 to 1327.He was the son of Matteo I Visconti and Bonacosa Borri. On June 24 1300 he married Beatrice d'Este, daughter of Obizzo II d'Este...
(1322 – 1327)
- Azzone Visconti
Azzone Visconti was lord of Milan from 1329 until his death. He is considered the founder of the state of Milan, which later became a duchy.thumb|left|Azzone Visconti.-Biography:...
(1329 – 1339)
- Luchino I Visconti (1339 – 1349)
- Bernabò Visconti
Bernabò Visconti was an Italian soldier and statesman, who was Lord of Milan.He was born in Milan, the son of Stefano Visconti and Valentina Doria. From 1346 to 1349 he lived in exile, until he was called back by his uncle Giovanni Visconti...
(1349 – 1385)
- Galeazzo II Visconti
Galeazzo II Visconti was a member of the Visconti dynasty and a ruler of Milan, Italy.He was the son of Stefano Visconti and Valentina Doria.In 1343 he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem...
(1349 – 1378)
- Matteo II Visconti
Matteo II Visconti was co-ruler of Milan together with his brothers Galeazzo II and Bernabò.He was the eldest son of Stefano Visconti and Valentina Doria. In 1342 he married Egidiola di Filippino Gonzaga....
(1349 – 1355)
- Gian Galeazzo Visconti
Gian Galeazzo Visconti , son of Galeazzo II Visconti and Bianca di Savoia, was the first Duke of Milan and ruled the late-medieval city just before the dawn of the Renaissance...
(1378 – 1402) {1st Duke of Milan & nephew of Bernabò Visconti}
- Giovanni Maria Visconti (1402 – 1412)
- Giacomo Visconti (1412 – 1447)
Visconti of Milan family tree
Descendants of Uberto Visconte ( † mid-13th century)
|
- Ottone
Ottone Visconti was an archbishop of Milan, a member of the Visconti family and the founder of their rule in Milan.thumb|Ottone Visconti in a hypothetical 19th century drawing.-Biography:...
{1207-1295}
archbishop of Milan (1262)
Lord of Milan (1277-78) and (1282-85).
- Andreotto (13th century)
- Teobaldo Visconti (1225-1275)
- Matteo I Visconti
capitano del popolo of Milan (1287-1298)
lord of Milan (1287-1302) and (1311-1322)
- Galeazzo I
Galeazzo I Visconti was lord of Milan from 1322 to 1327.He was the son of Matteo I Visconti and Bonacosa Borri. On June 24 1300 he married Beatrice d'Este, daughter of Obizzo II d'Este...
lord of Milan (1322-1327)
- Azzone
Azzone Visconti was lord of Milan from 1329 until his death. He is considered the founder of the state of Milan, which later became a duchy.thumb|left|Azzone Visconti.-Biography:...
lord of Milan (1329-1399)
- Marco
Marco Visconti is a musician, know for is work with the Italian band XP8.-Biography:Visconti was born in Rome, Italy.Moved to Bologna, Italy in 2006, he is also a DJ focused on Industrial Dance music, and the Industrial scene in general.He formed XP8 in 2001 with Paul Toohill and Marko Resurreccion...
(† 1329)
- Giovanni
archbishop of Milan (1339)
lord of Milan (1339-1354)
lord of BolognaBologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of northern Italy...
and GenoaGenoa is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria. The city has a population of about 610,000 and the urban area has a population of about 900,000...
(1331-1354).
- Giovanni da Oleggio (presumed)
lord of Bologna (1355-1360)
- Luchino
lord of Milan (1339-1349)
- Luchino Novello (died 1399)
- Stefano
Stefano Visconti was a member of the House of Visconti that ruled Milan from the 14th to the 15th century. He was the son of Matteo I Visconti....
(died 1327)
- Matteo II
Matteo II Visconti was co-ruler of Milan together with his brothers Galeazzo II and Bernabò.He was the eldest son of Stefano Visconti and Valentina Doria. In 1342 he married Egidiola di Filippino Gonzaga....
lord of Milan (1354-1355)
- Galeazzo II
Galeazzo II Visconti was a member of the Visconti dynasty and a ruler of Milan, Italy.He was the son of Stefano Visconti and Valentina Doria.In 1343 he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem...
lord of Milan (1354-1378)
- Gian Galeazzo
Gian Galeazzo Visconti , son of Galeazzo II Visconti and Bianca di Savoia, was the first Duke of Milan and ruled the late-medieval city just before the dawn of the Renaissance...
lord of Milan (1378-1395)
Duke of Milan (1395-1402)
- Valentina
married (1387) Louis of Orléans
- Giovanni Maria
Duke of Milan (1402-1412)
- Filippo Maria
Filippo Maria Visconti, was ruler of Milan from 1412 to 1447.-Biography:Filippo Maria Visconti, who had become nominal ruler of Pavia in 1402, succeeded his assassinated brother Gian Maria Visconti as Duke of Milan in 1412. They were the sons of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Gian Maria's predecessor, by...
Duke of Milan (1412-1447)
- Bianca Maria
Bianca Maria Visconti was Duchess of Milan from 1450 to 1468.-Early years:Born near Settimo Pavese, Bianca Maria was the illegitimate daughter of Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan and last of the Visconti rulers, and Agnese del Maino, the only person the shy, secluded Filippo ever loved...
(illegitimate, by Agnese del Maino)
in 1441 married to Francesco I SforzaFrancesco I Sforza was an Italian condottiero, the founder of the Sforza dynasty in Milan, Italy. He was the brother of Alessandro, with whom he often fought.-Early life:...
, later duke of Milan
- Bernabò
Bernabò Visconti was an Italian soldier and statesman, who was Lord of Milan.He was born in Milan, the son of Stefano Visconti and Valentina Doria. From 1346 to 1349 he lived in exile, until he was called back by his uncle Giovanni Visconti...
lord of Milan (1354-1385)
- Uberto il Pico (1280?-1315)
- Vercellino
podestà of VercelliVercelli is a city of about 47,000 inhabitants in the Province of Vercelli, Piedmont, northern Italy. One of the oldest urban sites in northern Italy, it was founded, according to most historians, around the year 600 BC.The city is situated on the river Sesia in the plain of the river Po between...
(1317) and NovaraNovara is the capital city of the province of Novara in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy, to the west of Milan. With c. 103.602 inhabitants, it is the second most populous city in Piedmont after Turin and it is the second urban area of the Region Piedmont with 190,000 inhabitants...
(1318-1320).
- Line of the Visconti di Modrone, Marquesses(1694) and later Dukes (1813) of Vimodrone
Vimodrone is a comune in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 14 km northeast of Milan. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 13,982 and an area of 4.8 km²....
, whose members include Luchino ViscontiLuchino Visconti di Modrone, Count of Lonate Pozzolo was an Italian theatre, opera and cinema director and writer, best known for films such as The Leopard and Death in Venice . He died in Rome of a stroke at the age of 69...
and Eriprando ViscontiEriprando Visconti, Duke of Modrone was an Italian film director. He was the nephew of the more famous Luchino Visconti.-External links:*...
.
|
Visconti of Modrone
From Uberto, brother of Matteo I, came the lateral branch of Dukes of Modrone. To this family belonged
Luchino ViscontiLuchino Visconti di Modrone, Count of Lonate Pozzolo was an Italian theatre, opera and cinema director and writer, best known for films such as The Leopard and Death in Venice . He died in Rome of a stroke at the age of 69...
, one of the most prominent film directors of
Italian neorealistItalian neorealism is a style of film characterized by stories set amongst the poor and working class, filmed on location, frequently using nonprofessional actors...
cinema.
Other members
- Pope Gregory X
Pope Blessed Gregory X , born Tebaldo Visconti, was Pope from 1271 to 1276. He was elected by the papal election, 1268–1271, the longest papal election in the history of the Roman Catholic Church....
(1210–1276) was born Teobaldo Visconti in PiacenzaPiacenza is a city in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Piacenza...
.
- Valentina Visconti
Valentina Visconti was the wife of Louis de Valois, Duke of Orléans, a younger brother of Charles VI of France.She was born in Milan and was the daughter of Giangaleazzo Visconti, the first Duke of Milan, and his first wife, Isabelle of Valois .She married her first cousin, Louis de Valois, in...
, elder daughter of Giangaleazzo Visconti, Duchess of Orléans and grandmother of the King Louis XII of FranceLouis XII , called "the Father of the People" was king of France and the sole monarch from the Valois-Orléans branch of the House of Valois. He reigned from 1498 to 1515 and pursued a very active foreign policy....
, who conquered Milan as her heir