Malatesta Novello
Encyclopedia
Domenico Malatesta, best known as Malatesta Novello (5 August 1418 – 20 November 1465) was an Italian condottiero, a member of the Malatesta family.
, the son of Pandolfo III Malatesta
and Antonia da Barignano. In 1429, after the death of his uncle Carlo Malatesta
, he became lord of Cesena
, at the age of 11, together with his brothers Galeotto Roberto
(the only one of age, although he died in 1432) and Sigismondo Pandolfo. Two years later, he suppressed several riots in the city spurred by the Malatesta of Pesaro
; he people turned against the latter, and hailed him and his prother Sigismondo Pandolfo as lords. Also in 1431 he quenched a revolt in Fano
.
In 1433, year by which he reigned alone in Cesena, he was created Imperial Knight by the Emperor Sigismund
. Therefore he abandoned the name Domenico to be called Malatesta Novello. At the time his lands included Cesena, Bertinoro
, Meldola
, Sarsina
, Roncofreddo
and the Piviero di Sestino. He also received Cervia
by Sigismondo Pandolfo, building there important fortifications.
In 1434, when he was 16, he married Violante da Montefeltro, then four. The two lived separated, joining only on her twelfth birthday (1442).
Aside from his military deeds, Malatesta Novello is celebrated for his large building programs in Cesena, such as the Convent di S. Maria (1438), the strengthening of the Rocca Malatestiana
and enlargement of the city walls (1441); in 1452 he founded the Biblioteca Malatestiana, the first public library in Europe. He also built public works such as bridges, tunnels and dams.
He died in Cesena in 1465. His death marked the end of the Malatesta seigniory in Cesena.
Biography
He was born at BresciaBrescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
, the son of Pandolfo III Malatesta
Pandolfo III Malatesta
Pandolfo III Malatesta was an Italian condottiero and lord of Fano, a member of the famous House of Malatesta.-Biography:...
and Antonia da Barignano. In 1429, after the death of his uncle Carlo Malatesta
Carlo I Malatesta
Carlo I Malatesta was an Italian condottiero during the Wars in Lombardy and lord of Rimini, Fano, Cesena and Pesaro...
, he became lord of Cesena
Cesena
Cesena is a city and comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, south of Ravenna and west of Rimini, on the Savio River, co-chief of the Province of Forlì-Cesena. It is at the foot of the Apennines, and about 15 km from the Adriatic Sea.-History:Cesena was originally an Umbrian...
, at the age of 11, together with his brothers Galeotto Roberto
Galeotto Roberto Malatesta
Galeotto Roberto Malatesta was an Italian condottiero.He was the son of Pandolfo III Malatesta and succeeded him in the lordship of Rimini in contrast with the local bishop; after the people rose against the latter, he obtained by Pope Martin V that his father's lands were entrusted to him and his...
(the only one of age, although he died in 1432) and Sigismondo Pandolfo. Two years later, he suppressed several riots in the city spurred by the Malatesta of Pesaro
Pesaro
Pesaro is a town and comune in the Italian region of the Marche, capital of the Pesaro e Urbino province, on the Adriatic. According to the 2007 census, its population was 92,206....
; he people turned against the latter, and hailed him and his prother Sigismondo Pandolfo as lords. Also in 1431 he quenched a revolt in Fano
Fano
Fano is a town and comune of the province of Pesaro and Urbino in the Marche region of Italy. It is a beach resort 12 km southeast of Pesaro, located where the Via Flaminia reaches the Adriatic Sea...
.
In 1433, year by which he reigned alone in Cesena, he was created Imperial Knight by the Emperor Sigismund
Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor
Sigismund of Luxemburg KG was King of Hungary, of Croatia from 1387 to 1437, of Bohemia from 1419, and Holy Roman Emperor for four years from 1433 until 1437, the last Emperor of the House of Luxemburg. He was also King of Italy from 1431, and of Germany from 1411...
. Therefore he abandoned the name Domenico to be called Malatesta Novello. At the time his lands included Cesena, Bertinoro
Bertinoro
Bertinoro is a town and comune in the province of Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna . It is located on hill, Mount Cesubeo, in Romagna, a few kilometers from the Via Emilia.-History:...
, Meldola
Meldola
-History:The area of Meldola was inhabited since very ancient times. The Romans built here a large aqueduct which served the military port of Classis. To the 5th-6th century belongs a large patrician villa which is now under the historical centre.In the Middle Ages a castle was present, the name...
, Sarsina
Sarsina
Sarsina is an Italian town situated in the province of Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. Its territory is included in the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines.-History:...
, Roncofreddo
Roncofreddo
Roncofreddo is a town and comune in the Province of Forlì-Cesena in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 90 km southeast of Bologna and about 30 km southeast of Forlì.-External links:*...
and the Piviero di Sestino. He also received Cervia
Cervia
Cervia is a town and comune in the province of Ravenna , central Italy.-History:Originally called Ficocle, it was probably of Greek origin and was located midway from current Cervia and Ravenna...
by Sigismondo Pandolfo, building there important fortifications.
In 1434, when he was 16, he married Violante da Montefeltro, then four. The two lived separated, joining only on her twelfth birthday (1442).
Aside from his military deeds, Malatesta Novello is celebrated for his large building programs in Cesena, such as the Convent di S. Maria (1438), the strengthening of the Rocca Malatestiana
Rocca Malatestiana
The Rocca Malatestiana is a fortress in Cesena, Italy. The current structure is the third fortress built in the place, near the ruins of the two previous ones, of late-Roman and medieval age....
and enlargement of the city walls (1441); in 1452 he founded the Biblioteca Malatestiana, the first public library in Europe. He also built public works such as bridges, tunnels and dams.
He died in Cesena in 1465. His death marked the end of the Malatesta seigniory in Cesena.