House of Dondorana

House of Dondorana Caxa de Dondorana
Country	Cavarzere
Founded	1089 1867 (as ruling dynasty)
Founder	Ordelafo I Dondorana
Current head	Doge Leonardo
Titles	List Doge of the Most Serene and Auspicious Republic Custodian of the Serene City Mayor Custodian of Brandolo Serene Prince of the Sea Serene Prince of Terrafirma Serene Lord of the Àdexe Serene Protector of the Islands Duke of Chievo
Style(s)	"His Serenity" "His Most Serene and Catholic"
Motto	Quid Leone Fortius (Latin for "What is Braver than a Lion")
Estate(s)	Pałaso Dogal (official seat) Pałaso Dandorana dei Chievo (historical seat) Pałaso Capano Pałaso Łaguna (private residence)

The House of Dondarana (Cavarzerian: Caxa de Dondorana) is an Belisarian royal house from Cavarzere. The modern Dondarana trace their ancestry origins to 1087, when a prominent merchant, Ordelafo changed his family's name from Muxe to reflect their rising fortunes.

In 1105, the Dondarana secured a series of lucrative gold mines in northern Cavarzere from the House of Cavarzeran, the republic's founding family. Records from 1188 report that the mines were "swindled from the mighty house" by Ordelafo II Dondorana. The family used the revenues from the mines to establish themselves as one of Cavarzere's wealthiest merchant patrician families. From 1200 onward, the Dondarana would produce at least 10 Doges, military commanders and become prominent patrons of the arts. By 1597, the Dondorana had established themselves as the city's wealthiest family. However, the decline of the republic in the 17th century failed to diminish the family's dominant position.

In 1866, persistent tensions between the working class and the patricians resulted in political and civil strife on the mainland, leading to Viadro Dondorana being proclaimed Captain-General of the Armies. In 1867, the working class and peasantry rose up against the Patricians, led by Emmanuele da Frixaturo, under Viadro, the patrician forces crushed the rebellion at the Battle of Sant'Marco par Àdexe, after several months of defeats under lower-ranking patrician commanders. Following the victory, Viadro took his forces to Cavarzere and under threat of arms, seized power as Doge. In the name of security and stability, the Signoria of the Republic proclaimed the Devotion of Cavarzere to the Dandorana, providing laws that led to the Dandorana ruling the maritime republic in perpetuity.

The Dandorana have ruled Cavarzere uninterrupted since 1867, becoming a successful and popular dynasty within Belisaria. Today, the Dandorana remain the country's wealthiest family through numerous businesses and holdings operating under the Dandorana Group. The family and Cavarzere is led by Doge Leonardo.

Titles and styles

Prior to 1867 and their rise as the perpetually ruling family of Cavarzere, the Dandorana's titles were confined mostly to their ancestral seat at Pałaso Dandorana dei Chievo. In 1244, they were awarded the title of Duchy of Chievo, firmly establishing their position as one of the most senior families. In 1327, the family were awarded the title of Serene Lords of the Àdexe (Serenìsima Paron de Àdexe), this secured their status as the prominent family of central mainland Cavarzere. During the periods where a Dandorana served as Doge of the republic, the family (like all others) would be granted the temporary title of Grand and Serene Family (Serenìsima e Grando Fameja).

Following the Devotion to the family, the titles and styles provided, among these were those attached to the office of Doge, were enshrined in law.

• Doge of the Most Serene and Auspicious Republic (Doxe de Serenìsima è Auspixio Repùblica) - official title of the Doge.

• Custodian of the Serene City (Custodè de Serenìsima Sità) - an honorific title denoting their lordship over Cavarzere, attached to the office of Doge.

• Mayor-Custodian of Brandolo (Sìndico-Custodè de Brandoło) - an honorific title denoting lordship over the city of Brandolo, which devoted itself to the republic in 1235, attached to the office of Doge.

• Serene Prince of the Sea (Serenìsima Principè da Màr) - an honorific title introduced in 1262 to denote the Doge's lordship over the republic's maritime territories. With this title, the beholder is entitled to 3% of all annual fees and taxes from the republic's merchant fleet.

• Serene Prince of the Terrafirma (Serenìsima Principè de Teraferma) - an honorific title introduced in 1262 to denote the Doge's lordship over the republic's continental holdings. This title establishes the Doges as the commander-in-chiefs of the armed forces and their national jurisdiction.

• Serene Protector of the Islands (Serenìsima Protetor del Ixołe) - an honorific title introduced in 1413 in wake of the capture of the Dorsoduro islands, would be expanded to include all other islands in Cavarzerian possession. However, with the loss of most of the republic's maritime territories by the 18th century, the title was reserved solely for Dorsoduro.

• Duchy of Chievo (Dogado del Chievo) - the oldest title assigned to the Dondorana family. It was awarded in 1244 by Doge Girolmao da Sabardia in recognition of their good governance of the region.

• Serene Lords of the Àdexe (Serenìsima Paron de Àdexe) - This honorific title was awarded in 1327 by Doge Enrico Furlan, granting them administrative duties over the central valley of the Àdexe valley.

See also

• Monarchy of Cavarzere
• Doge of Cavarzere
• The Thirteen