Libro d'Oro
Encyclopedia
The Libro d'Oro once the formal directory of nobles in the Republic of Venice
, is now a respected, privately-published directory of the nobility of Italy
(including the Ionian Islands
).
Following World War II
and the fall of Fascism
, democratic Italy
officially abolished titles and hereditary honours in its republican Constitution
and ceased having an official governing body of nobility headed by the state. Titles bestowed after 28 October 1922 (i.e. after the rise to power of Fascism) were declared never to have existed. Only those families bearing older titles were permitted to use them, as part of their surname. These laws did not apply to the nobility of Rome
, insofar as they had been created by the Pope
, when he was a sovereign head of state (i.e. until 20 September 1870). In reality, after a period of uncertainty, the Italian aristocracy
continued to use their titles in the same way as they had in previous centuries. This behaviour was cemented by the continued publication of Il Libro d'Oro della Nobiltà Italiana, published as much to prevent self-styled aristocrats social climbing as to list the established nobility. The currently published Libro d'Oro is not an official publication of the Italian state, which currently does not have a civic office to recognise titles of nobility or personal coats of arms.
The Libro d'Oro della Nobiltà Italiana (Golden Book of the Italian Nobility) is regularly published by the Collegio Araldico of Rome. It lists some of Italy's noble
families and their cadet
branches. First published in 1910, it includes some 2,500 families, and may not be considered exhaustive. Included are those listed in the earlier register of the Libro d’Oro della Consulta Araldica del Regno d’Italia and the later Elenchi Ufficiali Nobiliari of 1921 and of 1933.
The book is a comprehensive listing of members of families that are considered noble in Italy. The most recent (24nd) edition of Libro d'Oro della Nobiltà Italiana was published in September 2010.
The Libro d'Oro should not be confused with a social register
- wealth, status and social contacts are of no consideration on the decision as to whether a person may be included in the book, the only consideration is the blood or marital relationship to the head of a noble family. Nor is it a peerage reference such as those published in Great Britain.
In addition to the most famous Libro d'oro of Venice, such books had existed in many of the Italian states and cities before the unification of Italy. For example, the Venetian authorities compiled Golden Books on the Ionian Islands
, possibly to assist in the collection of taxes rather than as a nobiliary. The Libro d'Oro of Murano
, the glass-making island in the Venetian Lagoon, was instituted in 1602, and from 1605 the heads of the Council of Ten granted the title cittadino di Murano to those heads of families born on the island or resident there for at least twenty-five years. Another early example is the Libro d'Oro of Corfu
which was first published in 1572.
In the reformed Republic of Genoa
of 1576 the Genoese libro d'oro, which had been closed in 1528, was reopened to admit new blood.
By extension, a libro d'oro is a by-name for any nobiliary directory, as when Al. N. Oikonomides refers to "the recently published 'libro d'oro' of the wealthy ancient Athenians (J.K. Davies, Athenian Propertied Families 600-200 B.C. (Oxford 1971)".
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
, is now a respected, privately-published directory of the nobility of Italy
Nobility of Italy
The Nobility of Italy consisted of individuals and their families of Italy recognized by sovereigns, such as the Holy Roman Emperor, the Holy See, Kings of Italy or certain other Italian kings and sovereigns as members of a class of persons officially enjoying hereditary privileges which...
(including the Ionian Islands
Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands are a group of islands in Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese, i.e...
).
Following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the fall of Fascism
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
, democratic Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
officially abolished titles and hereditary honours in its republican Constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
and ceased having an official governing body of nobility headed by the state. Titles bestowed after 28 October 1922 (i.e. after the rise to power of Fascism) were declared never to have existed. Only those families bearing older titles were permitted to use them, as part of their surname. These laws did not apply to the nobility of Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, insofar as they had been created by the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, when he was a sovereign head of state (i.e. until 20 September 1870). In reality, after a period of uncertainty, the Italian aristocracy
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
continued to use their titles in the same way as they had in previous centuries. This behaviour was cemented by the continued publication of Il Libro d'Oro della Nobiltà Italiana, published as much to prevent self-styled aristocrats social climbing as to list the established nobility. The currently published Libro d'Oro is not an official publication of the Italian state, which currently does not have a civic office to recognise titles of nobility or personal coats of arms.
The Libro d'Oro della Nobiltà Italiana (Golden Book of the Italian Nobility) is regularly published by the Collegio Araldico of Rome. It lists some of Italy's noble
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
families and their cadet
Cadet
A cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :...
branches. First published in 1910, it includes some 2,500 families, and may not be considered exhaustive. Included are those listed in the earlier register of the Libro d’Oro della Consulta Araldica del Regno d’Italia and the later Elenchi Ufficiali Nobiliari of 1921 and of 1933.
The book is a comprehensive listing of members of families that are considered noble in Italy. The most recent (24nd) edition of Libro d'Oro della Nobiltà Italiana was published in September 2010.
The Libro d'Oro should not be confused with a social register
Social Register
Specific to the United States, the Social Register is a directory of names and addresses of prominent American families who form the social elite, . The "Directory" automatically includes the President of the United States and the First Family, and in the past always included the U.S. Senators and...
- wealth, status and social contacts are of no consideration on the decision as to whether a person may be included in the book, the only consideration is the blood or marital relationship to the head of a noble family. Nor is it a peerage reference such as those published in Great Britain.
In addition to the most famous Libro d'oro of Venice, such books had existed in many of the Italian states and cities before the unification of Italy. For example, the Venetian authorities compiled Golden Books on the Ionian Islands
Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands are a group of islands in Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese, i.e...
, possibly to assist in the collection of taxes rather than as a nobiliary. The Libro d'Oro of Murano
Murano
Murano is a series of islands linked by bridges in the Venetian Lagoon, northern Italy. It lies about 1.5 km north of Venice and measures about across with a population of just over 5,000 . It is famous for its glass making, particularly lampworking...
, the glass-making island in the Venetian Lagoon, was instituted in 1602, and from 1605 the heads of the Council of Ten granted the title cittadino di Murano to those heads of families born on the island or resident there for at least twenty-five years. Another early example is the Libro d'Oro of Corfu
Corfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
which was first published in 1572.
In the reformed Republic of Genoa
Republic of Genoa
The Most Serene Republic of Genoa |Ligurian]]: Repúbrica de Zêna) was an independent state from 1005 to 1797 in Liguria on the northwestern Italian coast, as well as Corsica from 1347 to 1768, and numerous other territories throughout the Mediterranean....
of 1576 the Genoese libro d'oro, which had been closed in 1528, was reopened to admit new blood.
By extension, a libro d'oro is a by-name for any nobiliary directory, as when Al. N. Oikonomides refers to "the recently published 'libro d'oro' of the wealthy ancient Athenians (J.K. Davies, Athenian Propertied Families 600-200 B.C. (Oxford 1971)".