The House of Visconti di Modrone is a collateral branch of the

Visconti of Milan The Visconti of Milan are a noble Italian family. They rose to power in Milan during the Middle Ages where they ruled from 1277 to 1447, initially as Lords then as Dukes, and several collateral branches still exist. The effective founder of the ...

. It originated in the 17th century and still exists today. Since the 19th century, several lineage members achieved prominence in different domains of public life, including theatre and cinema director

Luchino Visconti Luchino Visconti di Modrone, Count of Lonate Pozzolo (; 2 November 1906 – 17 March 1976) was an Italian filmmaker, stage director, and screenwriter. A major figure of Italian art and culture in the mid-20th century, Visconti was one of the fat ...

Origins

The Visconti di Modrone descend from Uberto, younger brother of

Matteo Visconti Matteo I Visconti (1250–1322) was the second of the Milanese Visconti family to govern Milan. Matteo was born to Teobaldo Visconti and Anastasia Pirovano. In 1287, Matteo's uncle Ottone Visconti, archbishop and first lord of Milan, nominat ...

Lord Lord is an appellation for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power over others, acting as a master, chief, or ruler. The appellation can also denote certain persons who hold a title of the peerage in the United Kingdom, or ar ...

Milan Milan ( , , Lombard: ; it, Milano ) is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of about 1.4 million, while its metropolitan city h ...

, between 1287 and 1322. Since the primary residence of the first generations of Uberto's offspring was in the

castle A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortified r ...

Somma Lombardo Somma Lombardo is a town in the province of Varese, Lombardy, Italy. It received the honorary title of city with a presidential decree on 16 June 1959. Industry The airline Neos has its head office in the city. History The town was strategical ...

, they were known by the surname of Visconti di Somma. In 1473, the two brothers Francesco and Guido Visconti di Somma divided the castle and the other family properties. In 1683, Niccolò Visconti di Somma, a descendant of Guido, married Teresa Modroni, originating the Visconti di Modrone lineage. The origins of the Visconti di Modrone are recognizable in their current peerages. The title of

Count Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...

of Lonate Pozzolo traces back to the properties and noble rights in

Lonate Pozzolo Lonate Pozzolo is a town and ''comune'' located in the province of Varese, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. It is served by Ferno-Lonate Pozzolo railway station. The airline Cargoitalia Cargoitalia S.p.A. was a cargo airline with its ...

, a few kilometres south of Somma Lombardo, received by Guido Visconti di Somma in the division with his brother Francesco.

History

In 1778, Francesco Antonio Visconti di Modrone, grandson of Niccolò Visconti di Somma, obtained the title of

Marquess A marquess (; french: marquis ), es, marqués, pt, marquês. is a nobleman of high hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The German language equivalent is Markgraf (margrave). A woman wi ...

Vimodrone Vimodrone ( lmo, Vimodron ; historically ''Modrone'' or '' Vico Modrone'') is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Milan in the Italian region of Lombardy. It is located about northeast of Milan. Vimodrone borders the followin ...

. In 1813, the title of

Duke Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are ran ...

Visconti di Modrone was granted by

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

to Carlo Visconti di Modrone (1770–1836). Between 1884 and 1890, a family mausoleum was erected at

Cassago Brianza Cassago Brianza ( Brianzöö: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Lecco in the Italian region Lombardy, located about northeast of Milan and about southwest of Lecco. Part of the Brianza traditional region, it was formed in 1927 ...

. Its appearance, inspired by the dome and the spires of the

Milan Cathedral Milan Cathedral ( it, Duomo di Milano ; lmo, Domm de Milan ), or Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary ( it, Basilica cattedrale metropolitana di Santa Maria Nascente, links=no), is the cathedral church of Milan, Lombard ...

, has become part of the local landscape. During the 19th and 20th centuries, industrial undertakings were started by different family members around Milan: silk production in

Canegrate Canegrate ( lmo, Canegraa ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about northwest of Milan. The town gave its name to the Canegrate culture The Canegrate culture was a civiliza ...

, a weaving plant in

San Vittore Olona San Vittore Olona (Legnanese: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located on the river Olona and about northwest of Milan. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 7,982 and an area of . ...

, a bleaching factory in Somma Lombardo, and a cotton mill in

Vaprio d'Adda Vaprio d'Adda (Milanese: ; Bergamasque: ; locally ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Milan in the Italy, Italian region Lombardy, about northeast of Milan. Vaprio d'Adda borders the following municipalities: Trezzo sull ...

. At the beginning of the 20th century, Giuseppe Visconti di Modrone (1879–1941), the father of the filmmaker Luchino, renovated a group of hovels and old stables surrounding a medieval family castle located from

Piacenza Piacenza (; egl, label= Piacentino, Piaṡëinsa ; ) is a city and in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, and the capital of the eponymous province. As of 2022, Piacenza is the ninth largest city in the region by population, with over ...

in the municipality of

Vigolzone Vigolzone ( Piacentino: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Piacenza in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about northwest of Bologna and about south of Piacenza. Vigolzone borders the following municipalities: Bettola, ...

and transformed them into a village of Middle Age aspect which in the early 20th century was named ''Grazzano Visconti''. In 1937, the title of Duke of Grazzano Visconti was granted to Giuseppe Visconti by King

Victor Emmanuel III of Italy Victor Emmanuel III (Vittorio Emanuele Ferdinando Maria Gennaro di Savoia; 11 November 1869 – 28 December 1947) was King of Italy from 29 July 1900 until his abdication on 9 May 1946. He also reigned as Emperor of Ethiopia (1936–1941) and K ...

. Grazzano Castle, built in 1395 by Giovanni Anguissola, a brother-in-law of

Gian Galeazzo Visconti Gian Galeazzo Visconti (16 October 1351 – 3 September 1402), was the first duke of Milan (1395) and ruled the late-medieval city just before the dawn of the Renaissance. He also ruled Lombardy jointly with his uncle Bernabò. He was the foundi ...

, passed to the Visconti di Modrone family following the death of marchese Filippo Anguissola in 1870. It is still owned by the family.

Notable members

Some members of this branch were: *

Uberto Visconti di Modrone Uberto Visconti di Modrone (23 February 1871 – 13 January 1923) was an Italian equestrian. He competed in the equestrian long jump event at the 1900 Summer Olympics The 1900 Summer Olympics (french: Jeux olympiques d'été de 1900, l ...

(1871–1923), entrepreneur *

Marcello Visconti di Modrone Marcello Visconti di Modrone (18 December 1898 – 5 August 1964) was an Italian businessman and fascist politician. He was a member of the House of Visconti Visconti is a surname which may refer to: Italian noble families * Visconti of Milan ...

(1898–1964), son of Uberto * (1901–1942) * Luchino Visconti di Modrone (1906–1976), theatre, opera and film director * Eriprando Visconti di Modrone (1932–1995), director *

Violante Visconti di Modrone Violante may refer to: Given name *Duchess Violante Beatrice of Bavaria (1673–1731), Grand Princess of Tuscany *Violante Beatrice Siries (1709–1783), Italian painter * Violante do Ceo (1601–1693), Portuguese writer and nun *Violante Placido ( ...

, set decorator in the

Academy awards The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

nominated 2017 ''

Call Me by Your Name (film) ''Call Me by Your Name'' ( it, Chiamami col tuo nome, link=no) is a 2017 coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino. Its screenplay, by James Ivory, who also co-produced, is based on the 2007 novel of the same title by André ...

'' 8955 - Milano - Palazzo Visconti di Grazzano (sec. XVIII) - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto 22-Apr-2007.jpg, Palazzo Visconti di Modrone in Milan Entrata Borgo Medioevale di Grazzano Visconti - panoramio.jpg, The entrance to Grazzano Visconti Grazzano Visconti - panoramio - Gregorini Demetrio (1).jpg, Grazzano Visconti Castle,

References

{{Visconti of Milan