Haus Colonna
Von den schattigen Türmen des mittelalterlichen Rom bis zu den Hallen des modernen Italiens hat das Haus Colonna über neun Jahrhunderte überdauert – und dabei päpstliche Intrigen, dynastische Kriege und die unerbittlichen Strömungen der Geschichte überstanden.
"Soli Deo honor et gloria"

Quick Facts
- Years Active
- 1471–1631
- Founder
- Francesco della Rovere (Pope Sixtus IV)
- Region
- Europe
- Religion
- Catholic
Notable Rulers
Francesco della Rovere (Pope Sixtus IV)
Pope Sixtus IV
Reign: 1471 – 1484
FounderFrancesco della Rovere, born in 1414 in Savona, rose from modest beginnings to wield immense influence as Pope Sixtus IV...
Giuliano della Rovere (Pope Julius II)
Pope Julius II
Reign: 1503 – 1513
Giuliano della Rovere, better known as Pope Julius II, stands as one of the most imposing and complex figures to ever oc...
Francesco Maria I della Rovere
Duke of Urbino
Reign: 1508 – 1538
Francesco Maria I della Rovere, nephew to Pope Julius II and adopted heir to Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, emerged as one o...
Francesco Maria II della Rovere
Duke of Urbino
Reign: 1574 – 1631
Francesco Maria II della Rovere, remembered as the last Duke of Urbino, emerges from the historical record as a figure b...
Federico Ubaldo della Rovere
Hereditary Prince of Urbino
Reign: 1621 – 1623
Federico Ubaldo della Rovere, sole legitimate heir to Francesco Maria II and Livia della Rovere, emerged as the linchpin...
Documentary Chapters
Timeline
Election of Sixtus IV
Francesco della Rovere is elected Pope Sixtus IV, marking the family's rapid ascent from obscurity to the apex of religious and political power in Europe.
Elevation of Giuliano della Rovere
Sixtus IV appoints his nephew Giuliano as cardinal, cementing the family's influence within the College of Cardinals and setting the stage for further advancement.
Death of Sixtus IV
The passing of Sixtus IV brings uncertainty to the family, but his policies of nepotism and patronage have already transformed their status.
Julius II Becomes Pope
Giuliano della Rovere is elected Pope Julius II, ushering in a period of military campaigns, papal reform, and unparalleled patronage of the arts.
Adoption of Francesco Maria I
Francesco Maria della Rovere is adopted by Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, positioning the family to inherit one of Italy's most prestigious duchies.
Della Rovere Rule in Urbino
Following Guidobaldo's death, Francesco Maria I becomes Duke of Urbino, solidifying the family's secular power base.
Expulsion and Restoration in Urbino
Francesco Maria I is expelled from Urbino during the Italian Wars but is restored to power after shifting alliances and military intervention.
Death of Julius II
The death of Pope Julius II marks the end of the Della Rovere’s papal era, though their secular rule continues in Urbino.
Accession of Francesco Maria II
Francesco Maria II inherits the duchy, initiating the final phase of Della Rovere rule amid mounting financial and political challenges.
Death of Federico Ubaldo
The untimely death of the hereditary prince leaves the family without a male heir, precipitating the dynasty’s decline.
Treaty of Urbino
Francesco Maria II signs a treaty ceding Urbino to the Papal States, effectively ending the family's sovereignty.
Dissolution of the Duchy
With the death of Francesco Maria II, the Duchy of Urbino is absorbed by the Papal States, and the Della Rovere line as rulers comes to an end.
Connected Across The Archives
Explore specific connections to other archives—civilizations, conflicts, companies, and treaties that share history with this dynasty.

Civilization Archive
(6)Abbasid Civilization
The House of Della Rovere's rise occurred as the Abbasid Caliphate waned, marking a shift in power from Islamic to European dominance.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire's collapse reshaped Mediterranean politics, creating a power vacuum that the House of Della Rovere exploited to ascend in Italy.
Holy Roman Empire
Active during the Holy Roman Empire's height, the House of Della Rovere influenced its political maneuvers, affecting European power structures.
Kingdom of Naples
The House of Della Rovere's connections to the Kingdom of Naples influenced its governance, aligning it with papal interests and affecting regional stability.
Mughal Civilization
The Della Rovere family's era coincided with the Mughal Empire's peak, fostering European-South Asian trade and cultural exchange, enriching Renaissance Europe.
Ottoman Empire
The House of Della Rovere's emergence during the Ottoman Empire's expansion shaped European alliances, countering Ottoman influence in Mediterranean politics.
Conflict Archive
(2)Italian Wars
The House of Della Rovere's involvement in the Italian Wars significantly altered Renaissance Italy's territorial dynamics, impacting the power balance among European states.
Wars of the Roses
The Della Rovere family, contemporaneous with the Wars of the Roses, navigated shifting alliances, impacting European dynastic politics and succession.
Explore Related Archives
Royal dynasties shaped civilizations, waged wars, and built empires that influenced modern commerce. Continue exploring the interconnected tapestry of history.

