Ingo della Volta

Ingo della Volta was a wealthy and powerful Genoese noble and financier, and a head of a faction who created political and commercial policy of Genoa in the 12th century.

The family Della Volta was descendant of officials of the margraves of Liguria who ruled over Genoa in the early Middle Ages. Together with four other aristocratic families, Della Volta held a monopoly on trade with Syria. Through policy of intermarriage, the bonds of the faction were additionally strengthened thus creating a powerful political power which dictated economic and political development of the city. Ingo della Volta was placed at the head of the group. Embassies were sent to Provence, to Spain and to other parts of Italy, as well as military expeditions against Muslim Spain which resulted in conquering of Almeria in 1147 and attacking Tortosa.

Ingo was a head of an embassy which was sent in 1162 to Emperor Frederic I Barbarossa in order to arrange an alliance to invade Norman Sicily. However, the following events – unrealized Sicilian campaign, unsuccessful attack of Sardinia, and war with Pisa – contributed and caused the Ingo’s downfall.

Following the murder of his son Marchio, a consul, a civil war broke out in Genova during which the della Volta faction was ousted, the family’s properties seized, and their control of Genoese politics ended.