The Valmarana family is an aristocratic family in Vicenza, one branch of which also held Venetian patrician status. Its motto was "Plus Ultra" (Further). They were named after the village of Valmarana (now part of Altavilla Vicentina) in the Berici Hills, where they held fiefs from the bishop of Vicenza.[2]
According to legend, the family was descended from the ancient Roman Maria gens. In 1031 they were made counts by Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor.[3] On 30 April 1540 Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor issued a special diploma making them counts palatine of Nogara.[3]
Their title of count was also recognised by the Republic of Venice. In 1659 the family branch led by the brothers Triffone, Stefano and Benedetto was given Venetian patrician status after they paid 100,000 ducats to help fund the Cretan War[3][4][5] This made them one of the 'Case fatte per soldo' (houses whose patrician position was achieved through money). Another line of the family did not join the Venetian patricians but did still sit in the Noble Council in Vicenza itself.[3] Under the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia both branches were granted noble status and the rank of count of the Austrian Empire by Sovereign Resolutions on 18 December 1817, 11 March 1820 and 13 March 1825.[3]
