Pietro Gradenigo

Pietro Gradenigo (1251–1311), 49th Doge of Venice from 1289 until his death, was elected while podestà of Capodistria. In February 1297 he carried through the Serrata del Maggior Consiglio, restricting access to the Great Council and helping to form a hereditary oligarchy.

His reign saw defeat by Genoa at Curzola in 1298 and, from 1308, war over Ferrara that brought excommunication from Clement V. After Bajamonte Tiepolo's failed coup of June 1310, the Council of Ten was created. Gradenigo died on 13 August 1311 and, Venice being under interdict, was buried in an unmarked grave on Murano.