Faenza

Faenza lies at the foot of the Apennines in western Romagna. Known to the Romans as Faventia, the city became famous for its painted maiolica. Its potters' work was so widely admired that the name of Faenza gave rise to the word faience for glazed earthenware.

The Manfredi family ruled Faenza from 1313, presiding over a period of artistic and urban development. The city had earlier endured sieges in its conflicts with Emperor Frederick II. Their patronage helped give the city its Renaissance character while its ceramics found an audience across Europe. In 1500 Cesare Borgia laid siege to Faenza, ending Manfredi rule and capturing Astorre III Manfredi. After the fall of the Borgia, Venice took control before the city passed to the Papal States.