Figure 1.--. |
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Archeologista have found Bronze Age artifacts near Ferrara at a site near Bondeno.
There was an Etruscan settlement at another nearby site, at Spina. It was a coastal settlement near Comacchio. This Etrscan city was founded in the 6th century B.C. and traded extensively with Greece. The area was conquered by the Celts. The Romans conquered both the Etruscans and the Celts. There were Roman towns at Gambulaga, Maiero, and Voghenza. The first historical mention of Ferrara occurred in the 8th century AD. Documents refer to a "ducatus ferrariĉ" (Duchy of Ferrara). A Desiderius pledged the Duchy to Pope Stephen II (757 AD). These documents indicate that in the early medieval period that Ferrara was already an established political entity. The Duchy was rule by Longobards and then directly by the Papacy. Pope John XV awarded Ferrara to Thebald of Canossa (986). The popes and the Holy Roman emperors became involved in a power struggle beginning in the 11th century. Ferara's strategic location and commercial importance meant that it like other northern Italain cities was deeply invplved in that conflict. The powerful families divided into Ghibelline and the Guelph factions. As in some other northern Italian cities, there was some movement toward local city-based autonomy. The Este family is one of the most important princely families in Italy. The family is believed to be of Lombard origins. The Guelph faction in Ferrara helped install the Este family the city government. The Este family became the leaders of the Guelph are papal party in Itlaian politics and often lead the papal armies. The family, however, at times was opposed by the papacy. The Papacy after the death of Alfonso II seized control of the city and began a period of direct rule. Ferrara became a frontier province of the Papal State.
Ferrara is located in northern Italy at a strategic point along the main course of Po River near where the Primaro tributary branches off from the Volano. Ferrara location on the Po, the most important river in northern Italy made it a city of some importance. The Po River valley was the most important agriculatural are in northern Italy. Situated in the Po Valley made it an important trading center at the River provided access to the Adriatic. There were also connections to Romagna and the north.
Archeologista have found Bronze Age artifacts near Ferrara at a site near Bondeno.
There was an Etruscan settlement at another nearby site, at Spina. It was a coastal settlement near Comacchio. This Etrscan city was founded in the 6th century B.C. and traded extensively with Greece.
The area was conquered by the Celts.
The Romans conquered both the Etruscans and the Celts. There were Roman towns at Gambulaga, Maiero, and Voghenza.
The first historical mention of Ferrara occurred in the 8th century AD. Documents refer to a "ducatus ferrariĉ" (Duchy of Ferrara). A Desiderius pledged the Duchy to Pope Stephen II (757 AD). These documents indicate that in the early medieval period that Ferrara was already an established political entity. There are two important early sites in modern Ferrara, but archeologists are unsure which isthe earliest. One site is located between confluence of the two river branches. This was near the Cathedral of San Giorgio, which become the new bishopric following decline of Voghenza. The other site isalled the "castrum bizantino" as is the city's modern San Pietro district which is located on the opposite or norther bank. This site was a fortified Byzantine military encampment.
The Duchy was rule by Longobards and then directly by the Papacy. Pope John XV awarded Ferrara to Thebald of Canossa (986).
The popes and the Holy Roman emperors became involved in a power struggle beginning in the 11th century. Ferara's strategic location and commercial importance meant that it like other northern Italain cities was deeply invplved in that conflict. The powerful families divided into Ghibelline and the Guelph factions. As in some other northern Italian cities, there was some movement toward local city-based autonomy.
The Este family is one of the most important princely families in Italy. The family is believed to be of Lombard origins. The Guelph faction in Ferrara helped install the Este family the city government. The Este family was also assisted by Venice. The Estes emerged as Ferrara's most important family. The people of the city conferred the title of First Lord of Ferrara on Azzo (1208). There was constant fighting with the Torelli family.
Este rule in Ferrara is complicated. The family was involved in other Italian cities. Alliances shifted. At times the Este family allied itself with the emperor and at other times with the pope. The Este family at times was supported by Venice and at other times fought against them. The Este family ruled Ferrara for over a century amist considerable fractional infighting. There were marked disputes with the Papacy, although as leaders of the Guelph faction, they generally sided with the pope against the emperor. Nicoló II
built the castle for which the city is renowned (1385). Alberto achieved an accord with Pope Boniface IX which reduced tension. Ferrara propspered under Niccoló III, Leonello, and Borso. Niccoló III transferred the Ecumenical Council to Ferrara (1438). Leonello was a respected figure of the Renaissance and oversaw a cultured court with a notable literary circle. Borso obtained the title of Duke of Modena and Reggio from the Emperor (1452) and Duke of Ferrara from the Pope (1471). The city's walls were extended and fortifications improved. The city began to decline under Alfonso I, in part because of extravagant spending by the Este family. There were, however, larger economic factors involved. A northward shift of the main course of the Po River harmed the city economy and benefited competing merchants in Venice. The declining economy also was accompanied by a cultural decline. Alfonso married Lucrezia Borgia. Futher decline occurred under Ercole II. Alfonso II died without leaving a successor (1597).
The Papacy after the death of Alfonso II seized control of the city and began a period of direct rule. Ferrara became a frontier province of the Papal State. The Papacy consumed with the the Counter Reformation and the fight against the Protestants to the north had become conservative and hardly a condusive ruler to foment the once brilliant cultural life of the city.
French Revolutionary forces seized northern Italy including Ferrara (1796). Under Napoleon the city became part of the Cisalpine Republic, the Cispadane Republic, and the Regno Italico.
After Napoleons's final defeat, Ferrara was reclaimed by the Papacy (1815).
A plebiscite was held in Ferrara (March 18, 1860) and the city voted to becaome a part of the new Kingdom of Italy. Ferrara was was the site of considerable labor agitation for better working conditions in the early 20th century. One of the most important was a strike at the Ponte Albersano (a bridge) (1901). There were clashes with the military a many strikers were killed. Peasants confronting land owners in Ferrara seem to have been much better organized poltically than in outhern Italy. The Fascists had a strong following in Ferrara. An important Fascist leader in the city was the flamboyant Italo Balbo who came to bbe seen as Mussolini's heir.
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