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The Governor, the Bishop, and the Patricians: The Contest for the Cathedral Square in Spanish Milan (1535-1706)
Der Gouverneur, der Bischof und die Patrizier: Der Wettstreit um den Domplatz im spanischen Mailand (1535-1706)
[journal article]
Abstract In the 16th and 17th centuries, the ambitious reorganization of the urban fabric sponsored and supervised by princes or ruling elites, usually aimed at establishing the power and prestige of the central authority, transformed most Italian cities. However, the separation within the city center betwee... view more
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the ambitious reorganization of the urban fabric sponsored and supervised by princes or ruling elites, usually aimed at establishing the power and prestige of the central authority, transformed most Italian cities. However, the separation within the city center between a political and ceremonial space, usually centered around the palace of the prince, and a marketplace, that came to characterize most urban contexts, did not occur in Milan. In order to preserve peace and stability in a period of intense warfare, the monarchy sacrificed an invasive oversight of the city and abdicated a higher degree of local power, choosing instead to delegate it to the urban patriciate, the merchant elites, and the Ambrosian church. Free of any restriction, and in order to preserve their financial interests and emphasize their political prominence, the families of the urban elites maintained the economic function of the area around the cathedral square at the expense of the royal-ducal palace and articulated an alternative power network anchored to their palaces in the residential neighborhoods outside the city center.... view less
Keywords
Italy; early modern times; sixteenth century; seventeenth century; town; elite; power; church
Classification
Social History, Historical Social Research
Free Keywords
Milan; Spanish Empire; urban space; ceremonial; court; royal palace; Cathedral Square; 1535-1706; Duomo
Document language
English
Publication Year
2022
Page/Pages
p. 212-232
Journal
Historical Social Research, 47 (2022) 2
Issue topic
Transforming Cities, Negotiating Centrality: Markets and Civic Buildings in Comparative Perspective (XVth c. - XXth c.) (Forum)
ISSN
0172-6404
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed