From duke to emperor
Frederick inherited the title of Duke of Swabia before being elected King of Germany in 1152. In 1155, he was crowned King of Italy in Pavia and Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Adrian IV in Rome.
Politics
Frederick Barbarossa
Holy Roman Emperor whose alliance with Como enabled the reconstruction and expansion of the city’s fortifications.
Frederick I, known as Frederick Barbarossa, was Holy Roman Emperor from 1155 until his death in 1190. His reign was marked by major campaigns in Italy. In 1158, he authorized Como to rebuild its defenses, and his alliance with the city enabled the reconstruction and expansion of its fortifications.
Worth knowing
The origin of Barbarossa
The Italian nickname Barbarossa means “Red Beard.” Frederick’s hair was blond, while a contemporary described his beard as reddish. The name was first used by the Florentines in 1298 to distinguish him from his grandson Frederick II.
Restoring Roman law
Frederick contributed to the re-establishment of the Corpus Juris Civilis, or Roman rule of law, which counterbalanced papal power in the German states after the Investiture controversy.
Porta Torre and Como’s defenses
In 1158, Frederick authorized Como to rebuild its defenses and initiated the strengthening of the city’s fortifications, which include Porta Torre.
The Frederician City Walls
Frederick’s alliance with Como enabled the reconstruction and expansion of the fortifications traditionally known as the Frederician City Walls.
Addresses you can still visit
Every place in this city with a documented tie to this person.
Created here
Frederician City Walls
His alliance with Como enabled the reconstruction and expansion of the fortifications traditionally called the Frederician Walls.
Created here
Porta Torre
He authorized Como to rebuild its defenses and initiated the strengthening of the city’s fortifications in 1158.
Follow the story on foot
These addresses are scattered across the city. Our routes and quests put them in an order that works.