photo © Paolo Marini www.fotomarche.com
Gradara Castle legend
Giovanni Malatesta, named Giangiotto, was the eldest son of Sigismondo I, lord of Gradara. He was described as ugly and lame.
Francesca was the daughter of Giovanni da Polenta, lord of Ravenna. Gianciotto, a courageous but exceedingly ugly soldier, obtained her father's consent to marry her. Fearing that she would be repelled by his ugliness he persuaded his handsome brother Paolo to court her on his behalf.
Once the marriage contract was signed, in 1275 , the real Giancotto (the ugly one) slipped into the marriage bed, to the understandable horror of the young bride.
But, more tragic still, Paolo and Francesca had fallen in love.
Giangiotto was Podesta' in the town of Pesaro and as he could not bring his family with him (because of a law of the time), he left his wife Francesca and his daughter Concordia in the castle of Gradara.
Then, Paolo, his brother became a frequent caller at the castle:
The story of the two lovers is made well-known by Dante in the V chant of the Inferno. These are the words of Francesca.....
| Amor, ch'a nullo amato amar perdona, Mi prese del costui piacer si' forte Che, come vedi, ancor non m'abbandona |
Love, that denial takes from none beloved, Caught me with pleasing him so passing well, That, as thou seest, he yet deserts me not. |
But Giangiotto happened to know it, maybe from his brother Malatestino: Then he pretended to leave but soon came back to the castle where he caught his wife and his brother alone in Francesca's bedroom ...
 |
Noi leggiavamo un giorno per diletto Di Lancialotto, come amor lo strinse: Soli eravamo e senza alcun sospetto.
Per più fiate li occhi ci sospinse
Quando leggemmo il disiato riso
La bocca mi bacio' tutto tremante.
at once my lips all
trembling kiss'd. |
Giangiotto rushed upon his brother to kill him but Francesca sheltered him with her body and was killed at his place. Paolo followed her soon afterwards.
Thus Giangiotto's vengeance was accomplished.
It was the year 1289.
© 1997-2010 Enrico Massetti
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