Niccolò Mauruzi Square

The square in the village of Stacciola is named after Captain Niccolò Mauruzi da Tolentino, Count of Stacciola and valiant military leader. He was born in Tolentino around 1350 and was the most prominent member of the Mauruzi family.

Captain Niccolò Mauruzi fled his homeland in 1370 due to family disagreements and entered the service of various mercenary leaders and Italian states. From 1406 to 1407 he served as captain of the militia of Cabrino Fondulo, lord of Cremona. In 1407 he entered the employ of Pandolfo III Malatesti, lord of Fano, from whom on 1 August 1412 he obtained the title of count and the Castle of Stacciola in exchange for services rendered. After militating for Filippo Maria Visconti, he went on the payroll of Pope Martin V and took part in the liberation of the Eagle, besieged by the Bracelets (1424). In 1425 he was employed by Florence in the war against the Viscontis and conquered Brescia in 1426. Having become lord of Borgo San Seppolcro, Mauruzi led the troops of the church for a three-year period (1428-1431) before returning to the republic of Florence, which appointed him captain general. At this juncture his military actions were directed on several fronts: in 1432 he defeated the Sienese at the Battle of San Romano, while in 1434 he faced the Visconti and Papal troops at Castel Bolognese. Here he suffered a heavy defeat and, taken prisoner, was taken to Milan. During his transfer from Milan to Bardi, he was intentionally thrown into a ravine in the Val di Taro. Picked up dying, he was taken to Borgo Val di Taro, where he died on 20 March 1435. He was buried with great honours in Florence in Santa Maria del fiore and, about twenty years later, the municipality commissioned Andrea del castagno to paint a commemorative fresco on his tomb.