Portrait of Gianfrancesco Gonzaga

Gianfrancesco Gonzaga (1446 – 28 August 1496) was the third son of Ludovico III Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua and Barbara of Brandenburg. He was the first Count of Sabbioneta from 1479 until his death, originating the later Princely Gonzaga-Sabbioneta, Gonzaga-Bozzolo, Gonzaga-Gazzuolo and Gonzaga-San Martino lines of the Gonzaga family.

Biography

He was born in Mantua.

in 1478, when his father Ludovico died, the Gonzaga lands between the Po and Oglio rivers were inherited by his sons cardinal Francesco and Gianfrancesco. When Francesco died, the latter became the only lord, adding to them the county of Rodigo.

Gianfrancesco chose Gazzuolo as the seat of his court. The town was fortified and later became the seat of a marquisate (1565). He married Antonia Del Balzo, daughter of Pietro Del Balzo, duke of Andria.

He died at Bozzolo in 1496. His lands were inherited by his sons Pirro and Ludovico.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.