House of Pola

The House of Pola (also Counts of Castropola, Sergi) is an Italian noble family currently living in the Czech Republic. The origins of the House of Pola date back at least until 990. The name of the family refers to the town of Pula (Italian: Pola) in Istria County, Croatia, which was in their possession from 1271 until 1331.

History

The family is mentioned for the first time in 990, when Sergio de Pola donated the property to the monastery of San Michele in Monte near Pula. However, the family refers to the Roman patrician gens Sergius, which lived in Pula in the time of the Roman Empire. The family tree starts in 1180 with Bonifacio Sergi who became the collector of taxes in the March of Istria. His three sons founded two branches of the family in 13th century - the Istrian branch (Galvano) and a branch of Treviso (Nascinguerra I). The family got importance in 1265, when Monfiorito da Pola became the Vicarius of the counts of Gorzia in Istria.

Year 1271

1271 won the authoritative party, which leader was the Sergi family the political fight against the democratic party (Jonatasi family) in the city of Pula and Sergi made themselves the Lords of Pola. The Sergi family moved to the castle of Pola and changed its name to Castropola. According to legend the Jonatasi family did not accept the Castropola as their lords and they attacked the Good Friday procession, where took Castropola place and slaughtered all but one family members. The only survived was a small boy, which has been rescued by his valet, which hid him in the monastery in Pula. However, this legend is not true.