Duchy of Ferrara

The Duchy of Ferrara is a former duchy of the Italian ruling family Este, located in Ferrara, north-east Italy. It was from 1264 to 1597.

History

The Duchy of Ferrara developed on the Po at the point where the Po di Primaro branches off from the Po di Volano. It is no longer possible to determine an original city core for Ferrara, namely there are two places without a plausible logical connection, both of which have contributed to the development of the city. The first center is located at the confluence of the two branches of the river, with the Cathedral of Ferrara, the new bishop's seat after the expiry of Voghenza; the second center was the Byzantine " castrum " in the district of San Pietro on the northern shore, where there was a fortified settlement to protect the border. Of the Lombards, the Duchy came under the control of the Roman Church and was 986 by Pope John XV. awarded to Theobald of Canossa.

The favorable geographical location of the city in a major river - a natural transportation hub in northern Italy between the Adriatic Sea, Po Valley and Romagna with appropriate strategic and economic importance - made ​​the town an ongoing dispute between the Empire and the Roman Church. In this context, internal disputes between the powerful families who were traditionally divided into Guelphs and Ghibellines developed. From these battles forces who sought an independent free city -formed.

The Guelph called the d' Este on the scene and within a short time they were the most powerful family of the city; they defeated with the help of the Venetians their opponents and soon took control of the whole city. 1264 Obizzo II was proclaimed ruler of the city. For over a century, the autocracy of the d' Este of internal disputes and conflicts was disturbed with the papacy. 1385 then the castle was built by Niccolò II and Albert received in 1391 by Pope Boniface IX. the privilege of founding a university; the University of Ferrara ( Università degli Studi di Ferrara). Niccolò III. , Leonello and Borso brought the city to another flower. At this time the city had grown with their city walls to today's major axes Viale Cavour and Corso Giovecca. Ercole I let another city walls built, and his court architect Biagio Rossetti designed the famous Addizione Erculea.

Alfonso I, Ercole II and Alfonso II administered the duchy with less fortunate and lost it in 1597 to the Papal States. Ferrara was then a frontier province of the Papal States.

Marquis of Ferrara

  • Obizzo II d'Este 1264-1293
  • Azzo VIII 1293-1308
  • Aldobrandino II 1308-1326
  • Obizzo III. 1317-1352
  • Niccolò I. 1317-1335
  • Aldobrandino III. 1335-1361
  • Niccolò II 1361-1388
  • Alberto 1388-1393
  • Niccolò III. 1393-1441
  • Leonello 1441-1450

Dukes of Ferrara

  • Borso 1450-1471 ( Duke of Modena and Reggio in 1452, the Duke of Ferrara in 1471 )
  • Ercole I. 1471-1505
  • Alfonso I. 1505-1534
  • Ercole II 1534-1559
  • Alfonso II 1559-1597
Ferrara Cathedral Integrated Authority File
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