Paolo Malatesta

Paolo Malatesta, known as il Bello (c. 1246–c. 1284), was the third son of Malatesta da Verucchio, lord of Rimini. In 1269 he married Orabile Beatrice, heiress of the counts of Ghiaggiolo, founding the Malatesta di Giaggiolo line.

In March 1282 Pope Martin IV made him Captain of the People in Florence. He is famous for his affair with Francesca da Polenta, wife of his brother Gianciotto, whom he had represented at her proxy wedding. The lovers were slain by Gianciotto around 1284, traditionally at Gradara, an episode Dante immortalized in Inferno, Canto V.