Bonzi (family)

Bonzi
Country	Italy
Place of origin	Crema
Founded	1448
Founder	Fachino Bonzi
Titles	Noble, Count of Serio
Cadet branches	Bonzi of San Michele

The House of Bonzi is a noble Italian family originating from Crema, Italy. The family rose to prominence due to their services rendered to the Republic of Venice during the Italian Wars of the 15th and 16th centuries. In recognition of their merits, the family was granted noble status as counts by Venice and received feudal jurisdiction over the Serio River. In addition to their presence in Crema, the Bonzi also established themselves in the cities of Milan and Bergamo, further expanding into the United States and Argentina in later centuries.

In 1897, by a ruling of the Court of Crema, the surname was officially changed from Bonzio to Bonzi.

History

Origins and Rise

The name of the Bonzi family first appears in the history of Crema during the period of conflicts between the Republic of Venice and the Duchy of Milan. Fachino Bonzi, the progenitor of the family, distinguished himself through his alliance with Venice, earning significant recognition for his navigation activities on the Serio River and the military support he provided to the Serenissima. Fachino is a historical figure shrouded in mystery, but his support for the Republic of Venice earned him the exclusive rights to navigation and fishing on the Serio River, granted in 1450 by Doge Francesco Foscari. This right became an important economic privilege for the family.

Republic of Venice expansion in Terraferma (16th century)

Bernardino Bonzi the League of Cambrai

Bernardino Bonzi, son of Fachino, was an important supporter of Venice during the War of the League of Cambrai (1508–1516), a conflict between the major European powers against the Serenissima. Like his father, Bernardino played a key role but was captured and executed by the French for transporting weapons from Milan to Venice. This sacrifice reinforced the symbolic legacy of the family in the struggle against Milanese forces.

The Title of Counts

Over the centuries, the continuous services rendered to the Serenissima were rewarded with numerous honors. The exclusive rights to navigation and fishing on the Serio River had been renewed in perpetuity until 1698, when the Bonzi family was officially granted the title of Count and the fief of Serio by Doge Silvestro Valerio. The concession was made in favor of Giovanni, Bernardino, and Giuseppe Bonzi granting them with exclusive hereditary feudal rights over the Serio River. Among the three brothers, Bernardino was the only one to have children, ensuring the continuation of the family's noble status. He married Camilla Zurla, a noblewoman from Crema belonging to the prestigious Zurla family.

The family became part of the Noble General Council of the Royal City of Crema in 1738, when Count Ercole Bonzi (son of Bernardino Bonzi) married Valeria Vimercati, a noblewoman from Crema belonging to the prestigious Vimercati family. The couple had three children.

Later, in 1838, the title and fief of Serio were reaffirmed by Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria in Vienna in favor of Leonardo (1826–1864) and Giuseppe (1830–1894).

Succession

Since the late eighteenth century, spanning the Napoleonic era, the Risorgimento, and the twentieth century, the descendants of the Bonzi family have maintained the privileges granted to them, responding functionally to political, social, and economic transformations while preserving a significant presence in local history.

However, during the World wars, poor management and the heavy economic burdens caused by the conflicts led to a significant reduction in the wealth of the main branch of the family. Count Antonio Bonzi Vimercati (1879–1944) was the last owner of Villa Bonzi in Ripalta Nuova, which he had inherited from his parents Francesco and the noble woman Luigia (Luisa) Bonzi Carioni, the grandniece of Agostino Vimercati.

In contrast, the cadet branch of the family did not suffer the same fate. In more recent times, some members partially relocated to the Americas and distinguished themselves, particularly with Count Leonardo Bonzi (1902–1977).

Upon the death of Antonio Bonzi Vimercati, succession passed to his son, Gian Franco Bonzi (1902–1975), who in turn transmitted the title to his eldest son, Antonio Bonzi (1930–2001), who later moved to Milan.

In recent times, the title has passed to Leonardo, a member of the cadet branch descended from the brother of Count Antonio Bonzi (Alessandro, 1933–2011). Meanwhile, Elena Bonzi, daughter of Antonio, married Ugo Rietmann, one of the founders of Fastweb and grandson of Hugo Rietmann, one of the founders of the historic Milanese football club FC Internazionale Milano.

Territory and Serio River

Serio River

The Serio River played a crucial role in the history of the Bonzi family's territory. Located in the heart of Lombardy, the Serio flows through the provinces of Bergamo and Cremona. In the 15th century, the Bonzi family was granted exclusive fishing and navigation rights on this waterway by the Doge of Venice. The concession, dating back to 1450, gave the family complete control over the river's resources from Mozzanica to its mouth at the Adda River. This right made the Serio not only an economic resource through it's resources and commercial trade along the Po River and the Venetian Lagoon, but also a symbol of the family's prestige and power in the region.

Along the Serio River, the Bonzi family established a comprehensive territorial management system that included fishing, navigation, and agricultural exploitation, as well as the maintenance of essential infrastructure such as canals and dams for irrigation. Over the centuries, however, the introduction of dams and other barriers along the river's course reduced water flow and drastically diminished fishing opportunities. This change not only depleted natural resources but also threatened the historic privileges of the Bonzi family.

Fish Repopulation and Territorial Defense

In the late 19th century, the decline in fish populations prompted the Bonzi family to seek solutions for restocking the river. Count Clito Bonzi was among the first to advocate for the purchase of trout fry in an effort to restore fish populations in the Serio.

Legal Disputes

Conflicts over rights to the river's resources were numerous throughout history. There were several instances of legal disputes between the Bonzi family and local communities, such as those of Mozzanica and Ripalta Vecchia. The Bonzi successfully upheld their rights on multiple occasions, as evidenced by various dogal decrees and court rulings that confirmed their exclusive authority over the territory and the river's resources.

Cadet Branches

The cadet branches of the Bonzi family:

• Bonzi from San Michele
• Bonzi from Pasadena

Coat of Arms

Bonzi family Coat of Arms

In 1929, the Italian government recognized the title of Count for the male descendants of Count Giuseppe Bonzi and the title of Noble for the descendants of both sexes. The Heraldic Council revised the family coat of arms, introducing new elements such as the comital crown and modifying details of the original design, including the cross, the island, and the decorations. The most significant changes included the use of an open helmet without gold clasps, a nine-pointed crown, and the addition of a standing cherub figure.

Residences

Of the residences built and inhabited by the Bonzi family, the following are particularly notable:

• Palazzo Bonzi in Crema
• Ex Palazzo Bonzi in Crema
• Ex Casa Bonzi of Via Alemanio Fino (n. 3) in Crema
• Villa Bonzi in Ripalta Nuova
• Villa Bonzi in San Michele
• Palazzo of Piazza Duse (n. 3) a Milano

Bonzi Palace in Crema

Mansion of Piazza Duse (n. 3) in Milan.

Family members

Sign with the name of the city of Aldo Bonzi

• Fachino Bonzi (15th century): A boatman who supported Venice during its conflict with Milan. He was granted exclusive rights to the Serio River for his services.
• Bernardino Bonzi (early 16th century): Smuggled weapons for Venice during the League of Cambrai. He was executed for his efforts.
• Count Ercole (†1678): Corporal in the Artillery Corps (Bombardiers) for the Republic of Venice.
• Count Orazio Bonzi (1773–1843): A lawyer who, during the French domination, was part of the Municipality of Crema and participated in the Consulte de Lyon.
• Count Leonardo Bonzi (1785-1841): Major in the army of the Holy Roman Empire.
• Count Aldo Bonzi (1852–1935): An entrepreneur who founded the city of Aldo Bonzi in Argentina, marking the family's expansion abroad.
• Count Iro Bonzi (1866–1938): Vice president (1921–1923) of the Milanese football team AC Milan. He married Sarina Nathan Berra (1872–1968), niece of Ernesto Nathan and sister of Edward Nathan.
• Count Ercole Bonzi (1873–1940): A military officer appointed by King Umberto I of Italy to serve as Commander of the Royal Cuirassiers. He married Alice Makee Spalding (daughter of industrialist Zephaniah Swift Spalding and granddaughter of James Makee) and settled in Pasadena, California, founding the American branch of the Bonzi family.
• Antonio Bonzi Vimercati (1879- 1944): Cavalry major in the Royal Italian Army.
• Count Enzo Bonzi: Undertook a military career and, in 1926, led an expedition to Somalia and Juba to assess economic conditions.

  

  Leonardo Bonzi

• Count Leonardo Bonzi (1902–1977): An aviator, filmmaker, tennis player, and bobsledder, renowned for his sporting achievements and film career. He participated in major transatlantic flights, including the 1948 Atlantic crossing with the aircraft "Grifo," and co-directed the documentary film Lost Continent, which won the Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1955. He served as a pilot during World War II, receiving the Gold Medal and three Silver Medals of Military Valor. He owned land in the Municipality of Segrate, which he sold to Silvio Berlusconi's Edilnord to build Milan Due and the San Raffaele Hospital.

Bibliography

• Conte Bonzi, E. (1946) I Conti del Serio. Memorie familiari dei Conti Bonzi fu Giuseppe, a cura del Conte Enzo Bonzi. La Moderna.
• Cantù, C. (1859). Grande illustrazione del Lombardo-Veneto. 2nd ed. Milano: Corona e Caimi Editori, Piazza di S. Ulderico N. 4673. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Lpw_AAAAcAAJ&hl=it
• Antonioli, G. (2017). 'Antonio Premoli: Il Podestà del buon governo di Crema (1934–1942)', Insula Fulcheria, pp. 365–382.
• Collegio Araldico (2015). Libro d'Oro della Nobiltà Italiana. Roma: Collegio Araldico.
• Bonzi, K. (2020). Translating the Book "I Conti del Serio": A Memoir of the Bonzi Family History. Senior Project, California Polytechnic State University.
• Comune di Ripalta Cremasca (n.d.) Villa Bonzi Ripalta Nuova. Casa e Parco. Comune di Ripalta Cremasca.
• Comune di Ripalta Cremasca (n.d.) Villa Bonzi San Michele. Comune di Ripalta Cremasca.
• Turismo Crema (n.d.) Museo Bonzi. Turismo Crema.
• Fondo Ambiente Italiano (n.d.) Museo Leonardo Bonzi. Fondo Ambiente Italiano.
• Maglia Rossonera (n.d.) Pres-Bonzi. Maglia Rossonera.
• Geni (n.d.) Maria Luisa Carlota di Borbone Parma, Kronprinzessin von Sachseness of Saxony. Geni.

See also

• Crema (Italia)
• Milano
• Vimercate
• Consulta di Lione
• Umberto I di Savoia
• Repubblica di Venezia
• Vimercati
• Leonardo Bonzi
• Football Club Internazionale Milano
• Associazione Calcio Milan
• Milano 2
• Silvio Berlusconi
• Ernesto Nathan
• Zephaniah Swift Spalding