Giovanni della Rovere

Giovanni della Rovere (* 1457 in Albissola at Savona, † November 6, 1501 in Senigallia ) was Signore of Senigallia in the Marche.

Origin

Giovanni della Rovere came from a humble background and was born in Albissola near Savona. His parents were replete della Rovere and his wife Theodora Manerola. The choice of his uncle Francesco della Rovere Pope Sixtus IV on August 9, 1471 changed the fate of the whole family: Giovanni's brother Giuliano and his cousin Pietro Riario were elevated to Cardinals. Giovanni, his other brother Leonardo della Rovere and Riario Girolamo cousin were provided for secular tasks. Leonardo was Prefect of Rome and Duke of Sora, Girolamo Lord of Imola and Forli.

Career

Giovanni was appointed Signore Senigallia by his uncle Pope Sixtus in December 1475. In the following years other dominions were added. Even after the death of his uncle Sixtus in 1484 continued his career, so Giovanni was from late 1485 to 1587 captain general of the Holy Roman Church, a position that corresponded to the command of the papal troops. In 1499 he was Captain-General of the Republic of Florence. At his rule over Senigallia still reminds the Rocca Roveresca, a Renaissance fortress, designed by Baccio Pontelli and Luciano Laurana

Family and descendants

In 1474 he married Giovanna da Montefeltro, Federico da Montefeltro and Battista daughter Sforza. They had the following children:

• Francesco Maria della Rovere, 1504 da Montefeltro adopted by his uncle Guidobaldo, Duke of Urbino from 1508
• Maria Giovanna ( Senigallia * 1482, † Bologna 1538) married Venanzio da Varano and Galeazzo Riario
• Beatrice ( † 1513) abbess of the convent of Santa Chiara at Urbino