11 Facts About Girolamo Riario

Girolamo Riario served as Captain General of the Church under his uncle Pope Sixtus IV.

Girolamo Riario was one of the organisers of the failed 1478 Pazzi conspiracy against the Medici family, the rulers of Florence, and was assassinated 10 years later by members of the Forlivese Orsi family.

Girolamo Riario was a nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, who in 1473 granted him the seignory of Imola, as a dowry for his marriage with Caterina Sforza.

In 1480 the pope made Girolamo Riario Count of Forli, confiscating the lordship from the Ordelaffi.

At Forli, Girolamo Riario erected the fortress of Rocca di Ravaldino, one of the strategically most important strongholds of the Romagna.

Girolamo Riario rebuilt much of the town of Imola, tearing down old and decayed houses.

Girolamo Riario entered the Castel Sant' Angelo with troops in order to put pressure on the cardinals to elect a candidate conformable to the Riarios' interests.

Girolamo Riario promoted several further plots against the Medici, but they all failed.

Girolamo Riario's body had been recovered from the piazza by a local friar, and once Girolamo Riario's widow proved vindicated, she had the body cleaned up and laid in state for three days in the church of San Francesco.

In 1473, Girolamo Riario became betrothed to the 10-year-old Caterina Sforza.

Girolamo Riario had an illegitimate son named Scipio by another woman.