Pasquale Chikoniya
Italy- Biography of Pasquale Cicogna
- Reconstruction of Rialto Bridge
- Political Success and Popular Support
- Death
Biography of Pasquale Cicogna
Pasquale Cicogna was the 88th Doge of Venice, taking office on August 18, 1585, at the age of 76. He deviated from tradition by not scattering gold ducats to the crowd during his inauguration ceremony. Instead, he replaced them with silver coins, which were later named cicognini in his honor.
Reconstruction of Rialto Bridge
One of the significant achievements of Cicogna's tenure as Doge was the reconstruction of the Rialto Bridge. From 1588 to 1591, the wooden bridge was rebuilt using stone. Cicogna chose architect Antonio da Ponte and his nephew Antonio Contino for the project, despite the proposals of many renowned architects, including Michelangelo.
Political Success and Popular Support
Cicogna enjoyed immense popularity among the people due to his successful resolution of state issues. In foreign policy, he advocated for peace and recognition of governments regardless of their religion. Such beliefs led to sharp clashes with the Inquisition and papal authority.
At the same time, Cicogna was a skilled politician who supported Henry of Navarre in his claim to the French throne. He convinced Pope Sixtus V to also support Henry in exchange for his conversion to Catholicism.
Cicogna invited the finest representatives of the Italian Renaissance in the fields of science, philosophy, and art to Venice during his rule. Under his leadership, the Venetian Inquisition apprehended and handed over Giordano Bruno to the Roman Pope for trial. Meanwhile, while the Senate was discussing the issue of extraditing Bruno, the Doge invited Galileo Galilei to Padua to lecture on astronomy. Galileo had been exiled from his hometown of Pisa.
