Marco Carelli

Marco Carelli was a scion of the prominent merchant family of the 14th century Milan and a renowned international merchant who left his fortune for the construction of Milanese Cathedral.

After he renounced his father’s inheritance for unknown reasons, Marco devoted himself to trade becoming an exceptionally successful businessman. In partnership with his father’s brothers, Franzio and Albertolo, and his cousin Simonolo he began trading in various merchandise such as wool, silk, cotton, leather, wax, sugar powder and others. Profits from trade he invested in the acquisition, leasing and renting of houses and terrains, as well as in lucrative moneylending activities serving as financier of the important families, including the lords of Milan.

Business activities in the later period of his life made him a prototype of the early new international merchant with highly diversified business affairs. From his headquarters in Milan and Venice, where he often resided, Marco ran a business network that included numerous partnerships and agents that operated in renowned mercantile towns such as Milan, Venice, Genoa, Padua and Brugges.

Although Marco was married twice – to Giovannina Settala who died in 1381, and to Flora de Liprandsi he died childless. Therefore, he left his fortune consisting of 35,000 ducats, which is today arround €30 million to the Fabbrica del Duomo to initiate construction of the Cathedral of Milan.

He required the Fabbrica to establish a chantry with a daily mass for the repose of his soul to be celebrated at a brand new altar that was to be raised in the Duomo, and a mass to be held on the first day of every month, which was to be officiated by the Metropolitan Chapter.