Don Orazio Giovan Battista Ravaschieri Fieschi, 1st Prince of Belmonte
Encyclopedia
Orazio Giovan Battista Ravaschieri Fieschi (died 12 October 1645) was a wealthy nobleman and patrician ('patrizio') of Genoa descending from the Fieschi, Counts Palatine
of Lavagna
, in what is now Liguria
. He was appointed Grand Seneschal of Naples ('Gran Siniscalco del Regno di Sicilia'), and, on 5 March 1619, he was elevated to the title of Prince of Belmonte at Madrid by Philip III of Spain
.
Orazio descended from a line of imperial and royal bankers, his great-grandfather Giovan Battista and grandfather having been Treasurers (Maestri di Zecca) to Charles V
, Holy Roman Emperor, and King Philip II of Spain
respectively.
Prince Belmonte was the grandson of Germano Ravaschieri Fieschi and Antonia Scorza, and the son of Giovan Battista Ravaschieri Fieschi, 1st Baron of Belmonte and 1st Baron of Badolato and his wife Maria, the heiress of the feudality of Girifalco
from her uncle Pietro Francesco Ravaschieri Fieschi. Maria was herself the daughter of Torino Ravaschieri Fieschi, Treasurer of Calabria
, and his wife Vittoria Spinola.
Upon Orazio's death his titles and estates passed to his son, Daniele Domenico Ravaschieri Fieschi, 2nd Prince of Belmonte.
Count palatine
Count palatine is a high noble title, used to render several comital styles, in some cases also shortened to Palatine, which can have other meanings as well.-Comes palatinus:...
of Lavagna
Lavagna
Lavagna is a fishing port city of c. 13,000 inhabitants in the curving stretch of the Italian Riviera di Levante called the gulf of Tigullio, in the province of Genoa in Liguria. The borgo of Lavagna was an important Ligurian cultural center in the Middle Ages...
, in what is now Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
. He was appointed Grand Seneschal of Naples ('Gran Siniscalco del Regno di Sicilia'), and, on 5 March 1619, he was elevated to the title of Prince of Belmonte at Madrid by Philip III of Spain
Philip III of Spain
Philip III , also known as Philip the Pious, was the King of Spain and King of Portugal and the Algarves, where he ruled as Philip II , from 1598 until his death...
.
Orazio descended from a line of imperial and royal bankers, his great-grandfather Giovan Battista and grandfather having been Treasurers (Maestri di Zecca) to Charles V
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
, Holy Roman Emperor, and King Philip II of Spain
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
respectively.
Prince Belmonte was the grandson of Germano Ravaschieri Fieschi and Antonia Scorza, and the son of Giovan Battista Ravaschieri Fieschi, 1st Baron of Belmonte and 1st Baron of Badolato and his wife Maria, the heiress of the feudality of Girifalco
Girifalco
Girifalco is a comune and town in the province of Catanzaro in the Calabria region of Italy....
from her uncle Pietro Francesco Ravaschieri Fieschi. Maria was herself the daughter of Torino Ravaschieri Fieschi, Treasurer of Calabria
Calabria
Calabria , in antiquity known as Bruttium, is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro....
, and his wife Vittoria Spinola.
Upon Orazio's death his titles and estates passed to his son, Daniele Domenico Ravaschieri Fieschi, 2nd Prince of Belmonte.
Further reading
- Magri, Andrea (1640), Memorie della Nobilissima Famiglia Ravaschiera, Discendente da Gli'Antichissimi Conti di Lavagna
- Turchi, Gabriele (2004), Storia di Belmonte (Dalle origini alla fine del secolo XIX)