Ottone Visconti

Archbishop Ottone Visconti
Lord of Milan
Archbishop of Milan
Coat of arms
Born 1207
Died 8 August 1295
Chiaravalle Abbey
Buried Milan Cathedral
Noble family Visconti
Father Uberto Visconti
Mother Anastasia Pirovano
Occupation Archbishop, Podestà of Novara

Ottone Visconti (1207 – 8 August 1295) was an archbishop of Milan, a member of the Visconti family and the founder of their rule in Milan.

Biography

He was the son of Uberto Visconti, lord of Massino, Albizzate and Besnate, and one Anastasia (some sources attribute her the Pirovano last name). Before the accession to the archbishopric, he was assistant to the Papal legate and cardinal Ottaviano Ubaldini. In 1260 he was Podestà of Novara.

On 22 July 1262 Visconti succeeded as archbishop of Milan to Leone da Perego, elected by Pope Urban IV in opposition to Martino della Torre and Manfredi of Sicily. He fought for the rule of the city with the Torriani family, and especially with Napo della Torre, who had denied him access to Milan and had defeated an army under Teobaldo Visconti, Ottone's nephew, at Angera in 1276. However, in the following year Ottone decisively defeated him in the Battle of Desio: this victory began the rule of Visconti over Milan and Lombardy, which lasted until 1450.

As effective lord of the city, he embellished it and enhanced the economy.

As an old man he retired to the Chiaravalle Abbey, entrusting the seigniory to his nephew Matteo. He died there in 1295.

Sources

  • Crivelli Visconti, Vittorio Urbano (1972). La nobiltà lombarda. Bologna. p. 6.
Italian nobility
Preceded by
Napo della Torre		 Lord of Milan
1277–1294		 Succeeded by
Matteo I Visconti
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