Oldrado da Tresseno (died 1233) was an Italian politician,podestà (mayor) ofMilan in the 13th century. He is responsible for restructuringPiazza dei Mercanti (former city center of Milan in the Middle Ages, located next to what is nowPiazza del Duomo) and ordering the construction ofPalazzo della Ragione, a prominent historic building of Milan, which served as abroletto (government seat) in theMiddle Ages. He is also remembered as a fierce prosecutor of theCathar heretics.
Details of Oldrado's life are largely missing. Although he is referred to in medieval texts as "a citizen ofLodi", it is disputed whether he was born there or inDresano (a small town nearMelegnano). He was a close friend toinquisitorPietro da Verona and actively cooperated with the Inquisition in prosecuting heretics, especially thebelievers of the Church of Concorezzo, a very activeCathar group that was supported by thebishop ofConcorezzo (a town North-East of Milan, nearMonza) and by localfeudatoryFilippo Confalonieri.[1]
ARomanesquerelief representing Oldrado is found on one of the columns ofPalazzo della Ragione in Milan; it bears aLatin inscription that reads:
Anno Domini 1233. To the podestà of Milan, Oldrado di Tresseno. When you pass through the regal portico of the great palace, you will always remember the merits of podestà Oldrado, citizen of Lodi, defender and sword of the faith, who built the palace and burnt, as he had to, the Cathars.
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