House of Sforza

The House of Sforza (Italian: [ˈsfɔrtsa]) was a ruling family of Renaissance Italy, based in Milan.

The family also held the seigniory of Pesaro, starting with Muzio Attendolo's second son, Alessandro (1409–1473).

Members of this family also held important ecclesiastical and political positions in the Papal States, and moved to Rome in 1674, taking the name of Sforza Cesarini.

In 1521 Charles V drove out the French and restored the younger son of Ludovico, Francesco II Sforza to the duchy.

While the House of Sforza has died out over the last[specify] century, it is closely related to the Castellini Baldissera family, who inherited a number of their palazzos and estates.

Map of Italy in 1494. Insert shows the Duchy of Milan ruled by the Visconti family and inherited by the Sforzas.
A family tree of the House of Sforza
A family tree of the House of Sforza