House of Carafa
Parent familyHouse of Caracciolo
Country Italy
Former countries
Founded12th century

The House of Carafa or Caraffa is the name of an old and influential Neapolitan aristocratic family of Italian nobles, clergy, and men of arts, known from the 12th century.[1][2]

History

The Carafa Chapel in Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome.

The House of Carafa is a cadet branch of the noble House of Caracciolo, one of the most prominent families of the Neapolitan nobility. The family rose to prominence in the Kingdom of Naples during the 14th century and established itself as one of the leading noble families of southern Italy in the 15th century. Across the time, the family split in many lines, the most important being the Princes of Roccella, the Dukes of Andria and Counts of Ruvo, the Princes of Stigliano, the Dukes of Maddaloni, the Dukes of Nocera and the Dukes of Noja. The family gave sixteen cardinals to the Catholic Church, including one pope, Paul IV.[3][4]

Notable members

References

  1. ^ Rivista del Collegio Araldico, anno XXXIV, March 1936
  2. ^ "Carafa family or Caraffa family". Oxford University Press. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  3. ^ "CARAFA in "Enciclopedia Italiana"". www.treccani.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  4. ^ "Famiglia Carafa della Spina". www.nobili-napoletani.it. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
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