Gian Maria Visconti

Gian Maria Visconti (or Giovanni Maria; 7 September 1388 – 16 May 1412) was the second Visconti Duke of Milan, the son of Gian Galeazzo Visconti and Caterina Visconti. He was viewed as cruel and was eventually assassinated. hence he was named Gian Maria. The Basilica church (dedicated to the Nativity of St. Mary) Santa Maria Nuova in Abbiategrasso, was built to celebrate the birth of Gian Maria.

Gian Maria's birth helped cement his father's rule over Milan. Gian Galeazzo, while admittedly a Visconti - the family who had ruled over Milan since 1277, had gained control over Milan after overthrowing, imprisoning and poisoning his predecessor and uncle, Bernabo Visconti and his two eldest sons.

Following his father's death of plague in 1402, the 13-year old Gian Maria assumed the title of duke under his mother's regency. The Duchy of Milan soon disintegrated: among the various parties contending its lands, the condottiero Facino Cane prevailed. In 1408, Gian Maria married Antonia Malatesta of Cesena, daughter of Andrea Malatesta. They had no issue.

A plot by a party of Milanese Ghibellines was raised against the Duke when Facino Cane was terminally ill in Pavia, and Gian Maria was assassinated in front of the church of San Gottardo in Milan. The dying Facino had his officers swear to support Filippo Maria, Gian Maria's brother, who in fact succeeded him.

In literature Bellarion, by Raphael Sabatini