Marquess or Marchioness of Galatone facts for kids
The Marquess or Marchioness of Galatone (in Italian, Marchese o Marchesa di Galatone) was a special noble title. It was created by the Kings of Spain. This title was first given to Stefano Squarciafico, who was an important person from Genoa, Italy. This happened on June 29, 1562. The title was passed down through his family, following Spanish noble rules.
Today, the title is unofficially held by the Prince or Princess Belmonte. However, it is no longer officially recognized in the list of Spanish noble titles.
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How the Title Started
The area of Galatone was bought in 1557 by Uberto Squarciafico. He was from Genoa. Uberto passed away in 1562. He left all his lands and property to his son, Don Stefano.
Just a few months later, on June 29, 1562, King Philip II of Spain gave Stefano the title of Marquess of Galatone. King Philip II was the son of Emperor Charles V. Stefano married Vittoria Doria. He died in 1568. Stefano is buried in his family's special chapel at Copertino Castle.
Who Held the Title Next
After Stefano, the title of Marquess of Galatone was passed down through his family. Here are some of the people who held this important title:
Giulio Cesare, 2nd Marquess
- Giulio Cesare was Uberto's younger son.
- He became the 2nd Marquess of Galatone in 1568 after his brother Stefano died.
- Because he was very young, his aunt Livia and her husband Galeazzo Pinelli took care of him.
- Livia had received the County of Copertino from Uberto as a wedding gift.
- Giulio Cesare married Lelia Spinola. Her father was a Duke and a Marquess.
- Later, Lelia married Gian Francesco Oliva Grimaldi. Her son from that marriage became the 1st Prince of Gerace.
Cosimo, 3rd Marquess
- Cosimo was the son of Galeazzo and Livia.
- He became the 3rd Marquess of Galatone in 1588.
- He also inherited the title of Count of Copertino from his mother.
- Cosimo married Nicoletta Grillo.
- He paid for the building of the Church and Convent of San Francesco in Galatone in 1599-1600.
- He gave the church to the Capuchin monks.
- Cosimo died in 1601.
Galeazzo (II) Francesco, 4th Marquess
- Galeazzo (II) Francesco was the only son of Cosimo and Nicoletta.
- King Philip II of Spain made him the 1st Duke of Acerenza on April 12, 1593.
- He became the 4th Marquess of Galatone and Count of Copertino in 1602 after his father died.
- His daughter, Donna Caterina, also lived in Galatone. She is buried in the family chapel.
Cosimo (II), 5th Marquess
- Cosimo (II) became the 2nd Duke of Acerenza, 5th Marquess of Galatone, and Count of Copertino.
- He married Anna Maria Ravaschieri. She was the daughter of Orazio Giovan Battista Ravaschieri Fieschi, 1st Prince of Belmonte.
- They had nine children together.
Don Gaetano Pinelli, 6th Marquess
- Don Gaetano Pinelli was the second son of Duke Cosimo and Duchess Anna Maria.
- He became the 3rd Duke of Acerenza, 6th Marquess of Galatone, and Count of Copertino.
- His older brother was not able to take on the titles.
- Duke Gaetano died in Belmonte (now Belmonte Calabro) in 1711.
- He had no children of his own. So, his titles and lands went to his first cousin.
Oronzo Ravaschieri Fieschi Pinelli, 7th Marquess
- Oronzo Ravaschieri Fieschi Pinelli was the 5th Prince of Belmonte.
- He inherited the Dukedom of Acerenza, becoming the 4th Duke.
- He also became the 7th Marquess of Galatone and the Count of Copertino.
To learn more about how these titles passed down to the current Princes and Princesses of Belmonte, you can read the article about the Prince or Princess Belmonte. You can also find out more about the Dukes of Acerenza before they joined the Ravaschieri Fieschi family by looking at the Duke of Acerenza article.
