Zacco (dynasty)
Encyclopedia
The Zacco family originated from Spain
, where they are first recorded in when Stefano Zacco was a councillor of King Alfonso II of Aragon
in the 12th century.
When Sicily became subject to Aragonese rule in 1282, following the Sicilian Vespers
, the Zacco family arrived with King Peter I
, various branches of the family were soon established in the principal cities of Sicily - Palermo
, Modica
, Lentini
and Siracusa. Members of the Zacco family were active in the higher echelons of Sicilian society in the roles of Governors, the Church
, the military
, and the magistracy
.
The Palazzo Zacco
, an important example of Sicilian Baroque
, in Ragusa was purchased from the Melfi
family by a branch of the Zacco family in the late 18th century. By 1848 the family were probably extant, as they are no longer listed in the "Sicilian Golden Book of Nobility" (Libro d'Oro
).
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, where they are first recorded in when Stefano Zacco was a councillor of King Alfonso II of Aragon
Alfonso II of Aragon
Alfonso II or Alfons I ; Huesca, 1-25 March 1157 – 25 April 1196), called the Chaste or the Troubadour, was the King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona from 1164 until his death. He was the son of Ramon Berenguer IV of Barcelona and Petronilla of Aragon and the first King of Aragon who was...
in the 12th century.
When Sicily became subject to Aragonese rule in 1282, following the Sicilian Vespers
Sicilian Vespers
The Sicilian Vespers is the name given to the successful rebellion on the island of Sicily that broke out on the Easter of 1282 against the rule of the French/Angevin king Charles I, who had ruled the Kingdom of Sicily since 1266. Within six weeks three thousand French men and women were slain by...
, the Zacco family arrived with King Peter I
Peter III of Aragon
Peter the Great was the King of Aragon of Valencia , and Count of Barcelona from 1276 to his death. He conquered Sicily and became its king in 1282. He was one of the greatest of medieval Aragonese monarchs.-Youth and succession:Peter was the eldest son of James I of Aragon and his second wife...
, various branches of the family were soon established in the principal cities of Sicily - Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
, Modica
Modica
-External links:*...
, Lentini
Lentini
Lentini , historically Leontini, Leontinoi , or Leontium, is a town and comune in the Province of Syracuse, southeast Sicily .-History:...
and Siracusa. Members of the Zacco family were active in the higher echelons of Sicilian society in the roles of Governors, the Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, the military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
, and the magistracy
Magistrate
A magistrate is an officer of the state; in modern usage the term usually refers to a judge or prosecutor. This was not always the case; in ancient Rome, a magistratus was one of the highest government officers and possessed both judicial and executive powers. Today, in common law systems, a...
.
The Palazzo Zacco
Palazzo Zacco
Palazzo Zacco is a mansion in Ragusa, Sicily. It is most notable for the carvings in the Sicilian Baroque style which decorate its facades, especially the putti and masks which appear to support the palazzo's balconies on two of its symmetrical elevations. The palazzo was constructed circa 1750 as...
, an important example of Sicilian Baroque
Sicilian Baroque
Sicilian Baroque is the distinctive form of Baroque architecture that took hold on the island of Sicily, off the southern coast of Italy, in the 17th and 18th centuries...
, in Ragusa was purchased from the Melfi
Melfi
Melfi is a town and comune in the Vulture area of the province of Potenza, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata.-Geography:On a hill at the foot of Mount Vulture, Melfi is the most important town in Basilicata's Vulture, both as a tourist resort and economic centre.-Early history:Inhabited...
family by a branch of the Zacco family in the late 18th century. By 1848 the family were probably extant, as they are no longer listed in the "Sicilian Golden Book of Nobility" (Libro d'Oro
Libro d'Oro
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 ....
).