Background
Nicolò Contarini was born in Venice, the son of Giovanna Morosini and Giangabriele Contarini, a man who was not rich, but who nevertheless was familiar with high culture.
Nicolò Contarini was born in Venice, the son of Giovanna Morosini and Giangabriele Contarini, a man who was not rich, but who nevertheless was familiar with high culture.
Contarini was the Doge who presided over Venice during the Italian plague of 1629–1631, which killed one third of Venice"s population. Nicolò Contarini became familiar with philosophy and soon gained a reputation for fairness in his conduct of the public administration of the Republic of Venice. Politically, he was a supporter of Leonardo Donato.
Contarini ultimately emerged as the compromise candidate and was elected Doge on January 18, 1630.
Contarini"s reign began poorly, with Venetian troops, who were participating in the War of the Mantuan Succession, lost a decisive battle at Valeggio in May 1630, a predecessor to the unsatisfying Peace of Regensburg in October 1630. Venice suffered its first outbreak of bubonic plague in June 1630.
The government acted promptly, imposing quarantine on plague victims and burning the corpses, but it was unable to prevent the death of thousands. In October 1630, at the request of the Signoria, Contarini vowed to construct a church in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary once the plague was over.
Contarini died in Venice on April 2, 1631, before the cornerstone of this church, Santa Maria della Salute, was laid.