Ugolino della Gherardesca 1220 – 1289

Biography

Ugolino della Gherardesca was born on January 1, 1220, in Pisa, during a period of great political turbulence in medieval Italy. He devoted his life to service as a politician and soldier, playing an active role in the affairs of his native city during a transformative era. Through decades of involvement in civic and military matters, he became a significant figure in Pisan history, witnessing and influencing the complex dynamics that shaped his region.

Ugolino’s life came to an end on January 1, 1289, also in Pisa, marking exactly sixty-nine years from his birth. His death by starvation reflects the harsh circumstances of his final days—a sobering conclusion to a life spent in public service. He was laid to rest at the Church of San Francesco in Pisa, a place of dignity befitting a man of his station and years of dedication to his city.

The arc of Ugolino della Gherardesca’s life—from his birth in 1220 to his death in 1289—spanned nearly seven decades of Pisan history. His legacy endures as part of the rich tapestry of medieval Italian political life, remembered as someone who devoted himself to both the military and political service of his community.