Palma il Giovane, "Pasquale Cicogna in Dogal Robes Visiting the Church and Hospital of the Crociferi", oil on canvas, 1568–87.Coat of arms of Pasquale CicognaHis grave.
Pasquale Cicogna was theDoge ofVenice from 1585 to 1595. He supported the claim ofHenry of Navarre to the French throne, and convincedPope Sixtus V to support Henry in exchange for his conversion toCatholicism.
He broke with tradition by scattering silver coins, rather than goldducats, to the crowd during hiscoronation procession. These coins were known from then on ascicognini. As his reign of Doge continued his popularity increased because he was very diplomatic and able to tackle major problems with great success.
Arguably, one of his greatest successes was converting theRialto Bridge, one of Venice's major landmarks and the only bridge over theGrand Canal of Venice, from wood to stone between 1588 and 1591. Although greater names such asMichelangelo had submitted designs, Pasquale chose the more humble architectAntonio da Ponte and his nephew Antonio Contin to design and rebuild the Rialto Bridge. After Pasquale Cicogna died of a fever in 1595 a memorial was inscribed on the bridge to the Doge. Hisdogaressa was Laura Morozini.[1]
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