Bartolomeo Gradenigo

Bartolomeo Gradenigo († December 28, 1342 ) was the 53th Doge of Venice. He reigned from 1339 to 1342.

Family

The name of the family probably derives from the town of Grado on the Gulf of Venice from, possibly the origin of the family, whose name is linked almost from the beginning with the history of Venice.

From the family Gradenigo Doge three have emerged, alongside Bartolomeo Pietro Gradenigo Doge of the 49th and the 56th Doge Giovanni Gradenigo. Three women of the family were married to doges, two bore the title dogaressa: Aluica Gradenigo, married to Marino Faliero and Regina Gradenigo, who was married to Andrea Vendramin.

Life

Bartolomeo Gradenigo was the son of the Duke of Candia ( Crete), Angelo da San Lio, but the name of an uncle had maternal accepted. During his political career in the service of the Republic, he served as procurator and Podestà of Ragusa and Koper. He was married in first marriage to a woman from the family Cappello, with whom he had six sons, and in his third marriage with a sister of his rival and eventual successor takes office, Andrea Dandolo.

Gradenigo used his position to support his large family with as many lucrative offices. In addition, Doge, dogaressa and family with success strove, as comprehensively as possible to benefit from the merchandise trade of the city.

1340 Venice was hit by a catastrophic flood. According to legend, the city was saved only by the intervention of her three patron saints, Saints Mark, Nicholas and George before sinking. The three saints were increased in the boat of a fisherman who had appeased the raging sea and can then take from the fishermen at their respective headquarters on the Venice Lido, San Giorgio Maggiore and St. Mark's Square. The last of the Saints handed the fishermen a gold ring with a mission to turn him over to the Doge.

Gradenigo died on December 28, 1342 and was buried in the atrium of San Marco. His Gothic sarcophagus is located in the narthex of the basilica. The front of the sarcophagus shows a Madonna with Child and Saints Mark and Bartolemeus and a tiny figure of the kneeling Doge.

Pictures

• Paris Bordone: A fisherman handed over to the Doge the ring of St. Mark, 1535, canvas, 370 × 301 cm, Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice
• Antonio Gai: Bust of the Doge, Museo Correr, Venice