DID YOU KNOW ?
‘… WHERE CIVIL BLOOD MAKES CIVIL HANDS UNCLEAN …’
In 1200 , Doria , one of the wealthy and powerful families of the Republic of Genoa , bought the land of Dolceacqua , which significantly accelerated the development of the town . A few decades after , Italy will be divided by the conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines , two political groups that were enemies until the XVI century .
The Guelphs intended to strengthen the power of the Pope in the country ; their rivals supported the Holy Roman Emperor . How does this relate to our history ?
The division of the population into two warring camps affected the relations of these two influential families from Genoa , Doria and Grimaldi , who had become rivals for several centuries . In the 14th century , the Grimaldi family already ruled the Principality of Monaco and supported the Ghibellines , while the Dorias belonged to Guelphs camp .
‘ AND ALL MY FORTUNES AT THY FOOT I ’ LL LAY AND FOLLOW THEE MY LORD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ’
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The 15th-century church of Sant ’ Antonio Abate in Dolceacqua where one can see the precious polyptych of Santa Devota , patron saint of Monaco , historically linked with the Grimaldi family .
The wedding of Francesca Grimaldi and Luc Doria was supposed to put an end to years of rivalry between the two families .
The war between the families lasted until 1491 , when love became stronger than hate . This year was marked by the wedding of Francesca Grimaldi , sister of the Lord of Monaco Jean II , and Luc Doria , the Lord of Dolceacqua . This marriage was supposed to put an end to years of rivalry between the two families .
For some time , the tensions between the Grimaldis and the Dorias abated . In 1513 , Francesca decided to strengthen the connection between the families , ordering the polyptych of Saint Devote , the patron Saint of Monaco , from the artist Ludovico Bréa . Four years later , the masterpiece was installed in the Dolceacqua Cathedral .
The calm before the storm lasted until 1523 . https :// ru . m . wikipedia . org /
On the left : coat of arms of the Grimaldi family ; on the right : coat of arms of the Doria family .
24 / Hello Monaco Summer — Autumn 2021 www . hellomonaco . com