The origin of Villa Dionisi

The history of the Dionisi family, once one of the oldest and most solidly established houses from the Verona area, although nowadays extinguished, started its social climb eight centuries ago, firstly obtaining the earl title and later the title of marquis.


The first witness in the Dionisi genealogic line is a crusader Dionisio dei Dionisi, who left with the troops of Frederico Barbarossa to conquer Jerusalem. His grandson Dionisio was the fist member of the family to receive a title, “Eques Auratus” in 1245. In the gallery of the Villa two frescos painted by Marcola in 1778 represent Dionisius de Dionysiis (12350), eques auratus, and Joannes Dionysiis (1375) both on their horses. With the intention to stress the importance of the ancestors, Gabriele decided to have the whole family tree painted on the wall of the upper gallery, starting with the first ancestor Dionisius (1180).