Traversari
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The 'Traversari' (or domus Traversariorum, according to medieval chroniclers) are a noble italian family. The dynasty saw its history mainly from the city of Ravenna (who ruled between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries). The name of Traversari was made famous not only by knights, dukes and captains, but also by women crowned and queens and priests, monks, bishops and saints. Traversari were also poets, writers, painters and musicians. St. Romuald was the son of the Duke Sergio degli Onesti by Ravenna and of Traversara Traversari, daughter of Theodore Traversari, son of Paul I Traversari. Born in 952, he was monk of Order of Saint Benedict in 1012 and he founded the religious house of Camaldoli, which gave its name to the Congregation Camaldolese. Traversari Pond is a history place, rose near.
Legendary Origins
The house was the pride of ancient origins, dating back to the V century. The progenitor was Theodore, a general of Heruli, the people led by King Odoacer who in 476 took control of Ravenna marking the end of 'Western Roman Empire'. Theodore build in the middle of the plain created by the river Lamone, the Traversara Castle, from which his descendants would later take the surname. After the death of Odoacer, around 490, Theodore Traversari came under the service of the new winner Theodoric (king of the Goths), getting Duke : that title will be transfered to his descendants. Theodore appointed Prefect of Ravenna, later he became Patrick, then he was elected Consul. After the death of Theodoric, Italy began a rapid decline. Took advantage of the Byzantines : in 553 they finished the conquest of the Italian peninsula, with its capital in Ravenna. During the Byzantine domination, the Traversari covered various important positions, and participated in the most outstanding events of that period.
History
Middle Ages
Girolamo Rossi sketched a family tree of the house on the book "Historiarum ravennatum books" (Venice, Aldus Manutius editions, 1572) He found that the first to assume the designation of "Traversaria" was Duke Paul, who died in 947. A branch of the family, about the year 1000, moved to Venice, getting the Patrician title. From here they took a new surname, beginning the noble Venetian family called "Lezze". The main branch of the family remained in Romagna.
Podestà of Ravenna
The Traversari family clung to the ancient tradition of the Holy Roman Empire, he had many possessions in Ravenna and in the countryside and in the city he exercised a dominant role so that he could almost be called worship. Out of the Romagna land, the Traversari extended their influence over much of the northern Adriatic, such is the Will of Rustico Traversari. In 1024 he left property in Adria, Comacchio, Ravenna, Cervia, Imola, Faenza, Rimini, Jesi and Ancona. The chronicles of the time recall Alberto Traversari (1060-1137), who served under the flags of "Lothar II" of the "Holy Roman Empire. "Lothar II" was also the Saxon king of Germany. His brother John Traversari died in 1158 during the siege of Milan, fighting under the banner of the emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. At Ravenna their sister Sophia was married to Peter, Duke of the Onesti, while the other brother William increased the power of the ruling : he married Marseilles, nephew of the Marquise Matilda of Canossa. Peter Traversari II (son of William) took [[Frederick I Barbarossa] to Venice in 1180 ], in a historic meeting with Pope Alexander III. Then he had the honor of hosting the emperor in his palace at Ravenna. In 1181 Peter was the first of the family to be appointed mayor of Ravenna. Under the Traversari family, Ravenna became a major city of Ghibellines of the Romagna. Peter then married one of the most beautiful women of Italy, known by the name of Emilia Guidi. This did not prevent that, on the last decade of the twelfth century, families Traversari and Guidi were to arms for the possession of Dovadola and some castles in Faenza. Pietro III Traversari (son of Peter II) was an important and renowned Traversari : like his father he was a protector of poets and artists. Born in 1145, was mayor of Ravenna from 1218 in 1225 <ref> Before Peter III, the Podesta of Ravenna Traversari is documented for the years 1181, 1182, 1188, 1189, 1196, 1200, 1202, 1213 and 1216. </ ref>. In 1226 received the visit of Frederick II and helped him to form an army against the Lombard League. Paul was again the office of mayor in 1229 and 1233. He also had the title of Count of Rimini for services rendered to the Emperor Frederick II.
See also
References
- Cav. Avv. Alessandro Dini Traversari Ambrogio Traversari e i suoi tempi (Ambrose Traversari and his times) – Ed. Premiata Officina Mazzocchi, Borgo S. Lorenzo – Firenze 1975
- Giovanni Lazzaretto – Traversari di Ravenna: memorie e documenti (Traversari of Ravenna: memories and documentes) – Published by M. Lapucci, Tip. Ravenna
- Alfredo Traversari – I Traversari – Research handmade with Adolfo and Gustavo Traversari, Treviso - Italy - 2008