Della Rovere Family

   Originally from Liguria, the della Rovere achieved prominence when Cardinal Francesco della Rovere was elected to the papal throne in 1471 as Sixtus IV. Their social position and wealth were sealed when in 1503 Sixtus' nephew, Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, was elected Pope Julius II. Sixtus had invested his nephew Giovanni with the lordship of Senigallia and this new title made possible Giovanni's marriage to Giovanna di Montefeltro, the daughter of the Duke of Urbino. As a result, the della Rovere became the rulers of Urbino in 1508 when the Montefeltro line died out. The della Rovere name is closely tied to some of the most important masters of the Renaissance, including Melozzo da Forli, who worked for Sixtus; Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donato Bramante, who were employed by Julius II; Titian, who served Duke Guidobaldo della Rovere; and Federico Barocci, whose protector was Duke Guidobaldo II.

   See also Urban VIII.