Della Torre

The Della Torre (or Torriani, Italian for "Of the Tower") were an Italian noble family who rose to prominence in Lombardy during the 12th-14th centuries, until they held the lordship of Milan before being ousted by the Visconti.

The family originally sprang from the small fortified burgh of Primaluna, in the Valsassina. The first notable member was one Martino, nicknamed Il Gigante ("The Giant"), who fought in the Holy Land during the Crusades. His son Jacopo married a Visconti, Berta, and was captain of Milan. His nephew Raimondo was bishop of Como in 1262-1273 and Patriarch of Aquileia (1273-1299), while another nephew, Salvino, was podestà of Vercelli.

Jacopo's son, Pagano (III), became capitano del popolo of Milan in 1240, holding the position until his death in 1247. His brother Martino (III) imposed his personal power over the city, beginning the Torriani lordship, which lasted some 50 years. He died in 1259 and was succeeded by another brother, Filippo. Torriani possessions included Bergamo, Lodi, Novara and Vercelli. The Torriani were staunch members of the Guelph faction in Italy.