House of La Rovere facts for kids

Coat of arms of the Rovere. The name means of the oak tree.

The House of La Rovere (also called Della Rovere) was a very important and powerful family from Urbino, a city in central Italy. They first came from a town called Savona in Liguria. This family became famous and powerful thanks to two of their members who became popes. These popes helped their family gain influence through special favors and smart marriages.

The two popes were Francesco della Rovere, known as Pope Sixtus IV (who was pope from 1471 to 1484), and his nephew Giuliano, who became Pope Julius II (from 1503 to 1513). Pope Sixtus IV is famous for building the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, which is named after him. The Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome was the main church for the Della Rovere family. A later important member of the family was Vittoria della Rovere. She was one of the last Grand Duchesses of Tuscany, a powerful region in Italy.

Important Della Rovere Dukes

The Della Rovere family also ruled as dukes in the city of Urbino. Here are some of the most well-known dukes from this family:

1. Francesco Maria I della Rovere (1490–1538)
2. Guidobaldo II della Rovere (1514–1574)
3. Francesco Maria II della Rovere (1549–1631)
4. Federico Ubaldo della Rovere (1605–1623)