House of Caracciolo

The House of Caracciolo (Italian: Casa Caracciolo) (Latin: Domus Caracciolo) is a prominent aristocratic noble family that originated in the city of Naples. The Caracciolos are considered one of the most important families in the history of the Kingdom of Naples, and also held relevant posts in the Spanish Empire, Holy Roman Empire, and the Roman Catholic Church.

History
The house boasted a mythical Byzantine origin, however, the first documented mention of the family date back to the 10th century with the progenitor Teodoro Caracciolo, who was reported in ancient documents as Theodorus Caracziolus, of which only archival information is available; he was buried together with his wife Urania in the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Naples. He is reported to have died on 20 March 976, the date of a document in which it is learned that in this period his daughter Theodonanda made a donation to the Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Naples.

At the time of the Duchy of Naples, the family enjoyed nobility during the reign of the Sergian dynasty, benefiting from special privileges granted by Sergius VII of Naples. The family then divided into numerous lines, including the ancient lines of the likes of Caracciolo Canella, Caracciolo Ugot, Caracciolo Viola, and Caracciolo Ciccola, then into the lines of the likes of the del Sole, Bianchi, Rossi, and Pisquizi. Specifically, Riccardo Caracciolo, son of Landolfo, who lived in the early 12th century, was the progenitor of the Caracciolo Rossi. Caracciolo Pisquizi Filippo, also son of Landolfo, was the progenitor of the branch of the Caracciolo del Sole and that of the Caracciolo di Pisciotta.

In 1869, the family was enrolled in the Libro d'Oro, the Golden Book of the Italian nobility. Thanks to the great importance of the Caracciolo family, most of the most important events of the Kingdom of Naples had various members of the family as protagonists, sometimes even on opposing fronts.

The family has played a pivotal role in the development of the Catholic Church, with family members holding positions as bishops and cardinals. One notable member of the family who was involved with the church was Saint Francis Caracciolo.

Notable members

 * Landolfo Caracciolo (died 1351), Franciscan theologian and archbishop of Amalfi
 * Nicola Caracciolo (1931–2020), 10th Prince of Castagneto, 5th Duke di Melito, journalist, and historian
 * Marella Caracciolo (1927–2019), Princess of Castagneto, art collector, designer, and widow of Gianni Agnelli
 * Carlo Caracciolo (1925–2008), 9th Prince of Castagneto, 4th Duke of Melito, newspaper publisher, and founder of Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso
 * Francesco Caracciolo (died 1316), chancellor of the University of Paris
 * Francesco Caracciolo (1752–1799), admiral and revolutionary.
 * Franco Caracciolo (1920–1999), actor and conductor
 * Filippo Caracciolo (1903–1965), 8th Prince of Castagneto, 3rd Duke di Melito
 * Rudolf Caracciola (1901–1959), racing driver from a branch in Germany since the 17th century
 * Giuseppe Caracciolo (1892–1975), cinematographer
 * Miriam Caracciolo di Melito (1888–1966), American socialite and wife of Mario Caracciolo di Melito
 * Mario Caracciolo di Melito (1883–1958), Italian cavalry officer and American actor known as Mario Carillo
 * Filippo Giudice Caracciolo (1785–1844), Archbishop of Naples (1833–1844)
 * Tommaso Caracciolo (1687–1689), Bishop of Gerace
 * Carmine Nicolao Caracciolo (1671–1726), Viceroy of the Spanish Colony of Peru from a branch in Spain since the 16th century
 * Tommaso Caracciolo (1636–1637), Archbishop of Taranto
 * Gerolamo Caracciolo (1617–1682), Marqués de Torrecuso, Governor of Navarre, and soldier from a branch in Spain since the 16th century
 * Tommaso Caracciolo, Count of Roccarainola (1572–1631), Spanish field marshal
 * Pasquale Caracciolo (1566–1608), writer and horsemanship expert
 * Niccolo d'Ardia Caracciolo (1941–1989), painter from a branch in Ireland since the 20th century
 * Francis Caracciolo (1563-1608), Catholic priest and saint, cofounder of Clerics Regular Minor
 * Tommaso Caracciolo (1478–1546), Archbishop of Capua (1536–1546), Bishop of Trivento (1502–1540), and Bishop of Capaccio (1523–1531)
 * Marino Caracciolo (1468–1538), cardinal and diplomat
 * Giovanni Caracciolo (c. 1372–1432), minister of the Kingdom of Naples and favourite of Queen Joanna II who was often called Sergianni
 * Riccardo Caracciolo (c. 1320–1395), one of two rival Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller