Malatesta

Malatesta by V Canto, a perfume for men and women

The Malatesta were an Italian noble family, one of the most important and influential of the Middle Ages, who ruled the Signoria of Rimini and various territories of Romagna from 1295 to 1500. The origins of the dynasty were traced by their courtiers back to the times of ancient Rome and to the Scipios.

The most important member of the noble family was Malatesta da Verucchio, who earned the name Mastin Vecchio (Old Mastiff) for his military and political skill, also giving his name to the most important tower present at Gradara Castle. His eldest son Giovanni Malatesta (called Gianciotto, Lord of Gradara) became sadly famous for the tragedy told in Canto V of Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, where he narrates the eternal love between Paolo, his elder brother, and the beautiful Francesca, his wife. A love that still resonates from the walls of the Castle throughout the valley. In the 14th and 15th centuries the Malatesta conquered numerous cities in Romagna and the Marche, extending the territory of their kingdom as far as the eye could see……