Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) had at least 7 children, poisoned rivals, and turned the Vatican into a family business. His son Cesare was Machiavelli’s model for The Prince.
Plan a history trip →Rodrigo Borgia/Pope Alexander VI (pope 1492–1503): Spanish-born, massively corrupt, politically brilliant. Cesare Borgia (1475–1507): cardinal at 18, resigned to become a military commander, conquered much of central Italy. Rumored to have committed every sin. Machiavelli admired him. Lucrezia Borgia (1480–1519): married 3 times for political alliances. Reputation for poison is probably unfair — she was a political pawn, later a capable Duchess of Ferrara.
Vatican: the Borgia Apartments (rooms painted by Pinturicchio for Alexander VI, included in Vatican Museums €17). Castel Sant’Angelo (€15): Alexander VI’s fortress, connected to the Vatican by a secret passage (the Passetto). Subiaco (Lazio): Rocca Borgia, 1h from Rome. Ferrara: Castello Estense, where Lucrezia was Duchess.