The Vimercati family is a historic noble lineage from

Lombardy The Lombardy Region (; ) is an administrative regions of Italy, region of Italy that covers ; it is located in northern Italy and has a population of about 10 million people, constituting more than one-sixth of Italy's population. Lombardy is ...

(dating back to the XI century), originating from the city of

Vimercate Vimercate (; , ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the province of Monza and Brianza, in the Italian region of Lombardy. It is from Milan and from Monza. Its name (whose first finding dates back to the year 745) derives from the Latin ''Vicus ...

in the

Brianza Brianza (, ) is a geographical, historical and cultural area of Italy, at the foot of the Alps, in the northwest of Lombardy, between Milan and Lake Como. Geography Brianza extends from the Canzo area, North of Monza (approximately ...

region. The family played a significant role in Lombard history starting from the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...

and maintained political, economic, and religious influence throughout the region for centuries.

Origins and history

The Vimercati family is an ancient noble lineage, with documented origins dating back to the early 11th century. One of its earliest recorded members, Arialdo, is mentioned in 1021. The family's historical ties to the city of

, from which it derives its name, are well established. Entrusted with the captaincy of the Pieve of Vimercate, the Vimercati were consistently counted among the

episcopal Episcopal may refer to: *Of or relating to a bishop, an overseer in the Christian church *Episcopate, the see of a bishop – a diocese *Episcopal Church (disambiguation), any church with "Episcopal" in its name ** Episcopal Church (United States ...

feudal lords while playing an active role in the political life of the commune of Milan. Throughout the centuries, the Vimercati family distinguished itself in both political and military spheres across

. In 1088, Algiso Vimercati was appointed

vavasour A vavasour (also vavasor; Old French ''vavassor'', ''vavassour''; French language, Modern French ''vavasseur''; Italian language, Italian ''valvassore'', ''varvassore''; Late Latin ''vavassor'') is a term in feudalism, feudal law. A vavasour was t ...

Emperor The word ''emperor'' (from , via ) can mean the male ruler of an empire. ''Empress'', the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), mother/grandmother (empress dowager/grand empress dowager), or a woman who rules ...

Henry IV, further strengthening the family's allegiance to the

Holy Roman Empire The Holy Roman Empire, also known as the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation after 1512, was a polity in Central and Western Europe, usually headed by the Holy Roman Emperor. It developed in the Early Middle Ages, and lasted for a millennium ...

. One of the family's most illustrious figures was Pinamonte da Vimercate, traditionally regarded as the patriarch of the dynasty. He twice served as

Consul Consul (abbrev. ''cos.''; Latin plural ''consules'') was the title of one of the two chief magistrates of the Roman Republic, and subsequently also an important title under the Roman Empire. The title was used in other European city-states thro ...

Milan Milan ( , , ; ) is a city in northern Italy, regional capital of Lombardy, the largest city in Italy by urban area and the List of cities in Italy, second-most-populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of nea ...

, in 1171 and 1183, pivotal years in the city's history. During his tenure, Milan was rebuilt after its destruction in 1162 by

Emperor Frederick Barbarossa Frederick Barbarossa (December 1122 – 10 June 1190), also known as Frederick I (; ), was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1155 until his death in 1190. He was elected King of Germany in Frankfurt on 4 March 1152 and crowned in Aachen on 9 March 11 ...

. A key promoter of the

Lombard League The Lombard League (; ) was an alliance of cities formed in 1167, and supported by the popes, to counter the attempts by the Hohenstaufen Holy Roman emperors to establish direct royal administrative control over the cities of the Kingdom of It ...

, Pinamonte fought in the

Battle of Legnano The battle of Legnano was a battle between the imperial army of Frederick Barbarossa and the troops of the Lombard League on 29 May 1176, near the town of Legnano, in present-day Lombardy, Italy. Although the presence of the enemy nearby was al ...

and played a crucial role in the

Peace of Constance The Peace of Constance (25 June 1183) was a Privilege (law), privilege granted by Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, and his son and co-ruler, Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VI, King of the Romans, to the members of the Lombard League to end th ...

in 1183, being one of the signatories, which secured autonomy for the Lombard

communes A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to: Administrative-territorial entities * Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township ** Communes of ...

from imperial rule. His influence extended beyond

, as he also served as

Podestà (), also potestate or podesta in English, was the name given to the holder of the highest civil office in the government of the cities of central and northern Italy during the Late Middle Ages. Sometimes, it meant the chief magistrate of a c ...

Bologna Bologna ( , , ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. It is the List of cities in Italy, seventh most populous city in Italy, with about 400,000 inhabitants and 150 different nationalities. Its M ...

in 1176. His son, Grazio Vimercati, followed in his father's footsteps, holding prestigious offices. He was

of Milan in 1192 and 1224 and served as Podestà of

Vicenza Vicenza ( , ; or , archaically ) is a city in northeastern Italy. It is in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monte Berico, where it straddles the Bacchiglione, River Bacchiglione. Vicenza is approximately west of Venice and e ...

in 1195 and Podestà of Bologna in 1196. The Vimercati family was officially recognized among the ancient Milanese nobility in 1277, maintaining a prominent position in the city. Among its many privileges was the right to elect the ordinary canons of the Church of Milan. The family was more than just a local participant, as it played a role in several historical events. It was closely linked with the

Sforza The House of Sforza () was a ruling family of Renaissance Italy, based in Milan. Sforza rule began with the family's acquisition of the Duchy of Milan following the extinction of the Visconti of Milan, Visconti family in the mid-15th century and ...

family, contributing to their rise and consolidation of power, and was involved in various conflicts that characterized the

and the early modern period. During the

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...

, its patronage and strategic alliances supported the cultural and artistic development of the region, while during the

Risorgimento The unification of Italy ( ), also known as the Risorgimento (; ), was the 19th century political and social movement that in 1861 ended in the annexation of various states of the Italian peninsula and its outlying isles to the Kingdom of ...

the family became part of the processes that led to Italian unification and the establishment of the

Kingdom of Italy The Kingdom of Italy (, ) was a unitary state that existed from 17 March 1861, when Victor Emmanuel II of Kingdom of Sardinia, Sardinia was proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy, proclaimed King of Italy, until 10 June 1946, when the monarchy wa ...

. Its influence, therefore, extended beyond local boundaries, making it a component of the country's political, cultural, and social history.

Titles and holdings

Over the centuries, several members of the family were granted noble titles, including those of

counts Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...

and

marquises The Marquesas Islands ( ; or ' or ' ; Marquesan: ' (North Marquesan) and ' (South Marquesan), both meaning "the land of men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Oce ...

. The Vimercati owned numerous lands and properties throughout northern Italy, including the Palazzo Vimercati in

, one of the most notable examples of their architectural heritage. The palace, located on Via Carlo Ottavio Cornaggia, is a symbol of the family's power and wealth in the Lombard capital.

Relationships and marriages

The Vimercati family further strengthened its status through marriages with other noble Lombard houses. Notable examples of these families are the Benzoni, the Zurla, the Premoli, the Frecavalli, the Bonzi, the Pojani and the Carioni. Among these, we recall the marriage that took place in 1738 between Valeria Vimercati and Count Ercole Bonzi, Count of Serio, a prestigious and ancient noble family from the city of Crema. Another important marriage took place in 1855 in

Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...

when Giovanni Vimercati married Maria Luisa Carlotta of

Bourbon-Parma The House of Bourbon-Parma () is a cadet branch of the Spanish royal family, whose members once ruled as King of Etruria and as Duke of Parma and Piacenza, Guastalla, and Lucca. The House descended from the French Capetian dynasty in male lin ...

, a member of the prestigious

Bourbon Bourbon may refer to: Food and drink * Bourbon whiskey, an American whiskey made using a corn-based mash * Bourbon, a beer produced by Brasseries de Bourbon * Bourbon biscuit, a chocolate sandwich biscuit * Bourbon coffee, a type of coffee ma ...

royal house.

Ecclesiastical ties

Several members of the Vimercati family held prominent positions in the ecclesiastical sphere as well. Some family members were appointed

bishops A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...

and

abbots Abbot is an ecclesiastical title given to the head of an independent monastery for men in various Western Christian traditions. The name is derived from ''abba'', the Aramaic form of the Hebrew ''ab'', and means "father". The female equivale ...

, thereby increasing the family's influence not only politically but also religiously. Their presence in Lombardy's ecclesiastical institutions was constant and significant, helping to solidify their image as a moral and spiritual authority.

Branches

Several branches of the Vimercati family emerged as they expanded from the Milan branch, each following distinct paths that shaped their noble legacy. One branch of the family settled in Crema, giving rise to notable figures such as Gaspare, Ottaviano, Giovanni, and Agostino Vimercati. Over time, this branch split into several offshoots, the most distinguished being the Vimercati Sanseverino line, which, for services rendered to the

Republic of Venice The Republic of Venice, officially the Most Serene Republic of Venice and traditionally known as La Serenissima, was a sovereign state and Maritime republics, maritime republic with its capital in Venice. Founded, according to tradition, in 697 ...

, in 1574

Doge Doge, DoGE or DOGE may refer to: Internet culture * Doge (meme), an Internet meme primarily associated with the Shiba Inu dog breed ** Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency named after the meme ** Kabosu (dog), the dog portrayed in the original Doge image ...

Sebastiano Venier Sebastiano Venier (or Veniero) (c. 1496 – 3 March 1578) was Doge of Venice from 11 June 1577 to 3 March 1578. He is best remembered in his role as the Venetian admiral at the Battle of Lepanto. Biography Venier was born in Venice around 1496. ...

granted them the title of

Count Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...

of Palazzo or Parazzo. Another branch, having rebelled against the Dukes of Milan, took refuge in

Bergamo Bergamo ( , ; ) is a city in the Alps, alpine Lombardy region of northern Italy, approximately northeast of Milan, and about from the alpine lakes Lake Como, Como and Lake Iseo, Iseo and 70 km (43 mi) from Lake Garda, Garda and Lake ...

under the name Sozzi. However, over the course of the 17th century, they reclaimed their original surname, giving rise to the Vimercati Sozzi line, which, from 1681, held the title of Counts of Cornate. A third branch, settled in

Verona Verona ( ; ; or ) is a city on the Adige, River Adige in Veneto, Italy, with 255,131 inhabitants. It is one of the seven provincial capitals of the region, and is the largest city Comune, municipality in the region and in Northeast Italy, nor ...

Coat of arms

* Vimercati of Milan: Red, with a silver castle with three towers, the central one being the tallest, open and windowed in the field; the chief in gold, with a black eagle crowned in the field. * Vimercati-Sanseverino of Crema: Red, with three gold bands; the chief in blue, charged with two gold stars. * Vimercati of Verona: Gold, with three red bands, the chief in blue. * Vimercati-Sozzi of Bergamo: Golden, with a black double-headed eagle, crowned on both heads; divided into silver and red, with a castle having two battlemented towers in the Guelf style, open and windowed of the field, surmounted by two facing roosters, all alternated in colors; with a green uprooted cypress, crossing.

List of notable members

* Arialdo Vimercati (11th century): One of the earliest known members of the family, mentioned in documents from 1021. * Algiso Vimercati (11th century): In 1088, he was a

vassal A vassal or liege subject is a person regarded as having a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch, in the context of the feudal system in medieval Europe. While the subordinate party is called a vassal, the dominant party is called a suzerain ...

Emperor Henry IV Henry IV (; 11 November 1050 – 7 August 1106) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1084 to 1105, King of Germany from 1054 to 1105, King of Italy and Burgundy from 1056 to 1105, and Duke of Bavaria from 1052 to 1054. He was the son of Henry III, Holy ...

, strengthening the connection between the Vimercati family and the

. * Pinamonte da Vimercate (12th century – after 1183):

in 1171 and 1183, during a key period for the city following its destruction by

Frederick Barbarossa Frederick Barbarossa (December 1122 – 10 June 1190), also known as Frederick I (; ), was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1155 until his death in 1190. He was elected King of Germany in Frankfurt on 4 March 1152 and crowned in Aachen on 9 March 115 ...

in 1162 and the subsequent

(1183). He was key promoter of the

and fought in the

. He also served as

podestà (), also potestate or podesta in English, was the name given to the holder of the highest civil office in the government of the cities of central and northern Italy during the Late Middle Ages. Sometimes, it meant the chief magistrate of a c ...

in 1176. * Guido Vimercati (12th-13th century): Figlio of Pinamonte, he was

consul Consul (abbrev. ''cos.''; Latin plural ''consules'') was the title of one of the two chief magistrates of the Roman Republic, and subsequently also an important title under the Roman Empire. The title was used in other European city-states thro ...

in 1192 and 1224. He also held the positions of

(1195) and

(1196), confirming the family's political influence in various northern Italian cities. * Gaspare da Vimercate (15th century – 1467): A military leader and advisor to

Duke Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of Royal family, royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and above sovereign princes. As royalty or nobi ...

Francesco Sforza Francesco I Sforza (; 23 July 1401 – 8 March 1466) was an Italian condottiero who founded the Sforza dynasty in the duchy of Milan, ruling as its (fourth) duke from 1450 until his death. In the 1420s, he participated in the War of L'Aqui ...

, he participated in the conquest of Milan in 1450, contributing to the fall of the

Ambrosian Republic The Golden Ambrosian Republic (; ; 1447–1450) was a short-lived republic founded in Milan by members of the University of Pavia with popular support, during the first phase of the Milanese War of Succession. With the aid of Francesco Sforza th ...

. In 1452, he was appointed Count of Valenza and became responsible for the duchy's finances and founded the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. * Sermone Vimercati (the Younger) (16th century): In 1528, he married Ippolita Sanseverino, uniting the fortunes of the two families and establishing the branch of the Vimercati Sanseverino. * Lodovico Vimercati (17th century): A military officer who served first in the

Duchy of Savoy The Duchy of Savoy (; ) was a territorial entity of the Savoyard state that existed from 1416 until 1847 and was a possession of the House of Savoy. It was created when Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor, raised the County of Savoy into a duchy f ...

and later in the

, distinguishing himself in various wars of the period. * Faustino Vimercati (1801–1878): A patriot and conspirator, he participated in the

Italian Risorgimento The unification of Italy ( ), also known as the Risorgimento (; ), was the 19th century Political movement, political and social movement that in 1861 ended in the Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy, annexation of List of historic states of ...

. After the unification of Italy, he became a

senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or Legislative chamber, chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the Ancient Rome, ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior ...

of the

. * Alfonso Vimercati (1836–1907): Son of Faustino, he followed in his father's footsteps and also served as a senator of the Kingdom of Italy. * Ottaviano Vimercati (1815–1879): Milanese officer and diplomat, veteran of the French campaigns in Algeria and the wars of the

, he was a trusted confidant of Cavour. As special envoy to

Napoleon III Napoleon III (Charles-Louis Napoléon Bonaparte; 20 April 18089 January 1873) was President of France from 1848 to 1852 and then Emperor of the French from 1852 until his deposition in 1870. He was the first president, second emperor, and last ...

, he contributed to the Franco-Piedmontese alliance for the Second War of Independence. He stood alongside

Garibaldi Giuseppe Maria Garibaldi ( , ;In his native Ligurian language, he is known as (). In his particular Niçard dialect of Ligurian, he was known as () or (). 4 July 1807 – 2 June 1882) was an Italian general, revolutionary and republican. H ...

during the 1860 central Italian campaign and later negotiated in Paris the recognition of the

and the withdrawal of French troops from Rome. He was appointed senator of the Kingdom in 1879. * Agostino Vimercati (1813–1886): Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and of the Crown of Italy. Donated in death twenty thousand lire to the Institute of Mercy and another twenty thousand to the Infant Asylums. He also left one thousand lire to be distributed among the poor of the city. Great-uncle of Antonio Bonzi Vimercati. * Giovanni Vimercati (?-?): In 1855 married in Rome Maria Luisa Carlotta of

Residences

Of the homes built and inhabited by the Vimercati family, the following are particularly memorable: * Palazzo Vimercati, historic residence in

* Palazzo Marazzi formerly Vimercati, historic residence of Crema * Palazzo Barbàra formerly Vimercati, historic residence of Crema * Palazzo Vimercati Sanseverino, historic residence of Crema * Palazzo Donati De' Conti (formerly Vimercati Sanseverino and Vimercati), historic residence in via Vimercati in Crema * Palazzo Bonzi (formerly Benvenuti, Vimercati), historic building in via

Giacomo Matteotti Giacomo Matteotti (; 22 May 1885 – 10 June 1924) was an Italian socialist politician and secretary of the Unitary Socialist Party (PSU). He was elected deputy of the Chamber of Deputies three times, in 1919, 1921 and in 1924. On 30 May 19 ...

in Crema. * Villa Vimercati Sanseverino called the Palace, historic residence of Vaiano Cremasco * Villa Vimercati Groppallo Castelbarco, historic residence of Torlino Vimercati . * Vimercati-Sozzi Castle, a ruined castle in the municipality of

Cisano Bergamasco Cisano Bergamasco (Bergamasque: or ; Brianzöö: ) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy, northern Italy. See also * Northern Italy Northern Italy (, , ) is a geographical and cultural region in the northern part ...

References

{{reflist Lombardy Milan Italian nobility