Marino Catalani
Category: Benefactors
Born in Petriolo on December 11th, 1607 – Died in Petriolo on February 18th, 1673
Son of Giuliano and Quintia Siciliani.
He graduated in Law at the University of Macerata on January 16th, 1629.
He was decorated with the military title for gallantry “Milizia Aureata”.
Right after, he moved to Rome, where he begun the legal career. He worked as a prosecutor (properly, in Italian: as a “causidico”), representing the parties to the proceedings, and handling investigation (collection of the evidentiary materials, writing and deposition of procedural documents).
Working for the Roman Curia, Marino Catalani had an extensive experience and a deep knowledge of legal issues. For this reason, during his stay in Rome (he has lived there for more than 40 years), Marino Catalani was one of the most appreciated attorneys in Family law and in Ecclesiastical suits.
He was renowned for his unique tenet and integrity, so that he received eulogies and prestigious positions. Between 1648 and 1649 he worked as a prosecutor for the Municipality of Ferrara, which gifted him with the honorary citizenship to thank him for the outstanding quality of his office.
In 1658, Marino Catalani bought from the Adami brothers from Fermo a big palace, located next to the Church of St Martin, in Petriolo. The palace hosted an olive-press. Catalani chose that place for his residence, which was also the administrative hub of his properties in Petriolo.
Later, in 1666, Marino Catalani bought an estate counting about 70 hectares from Anton Vincenzo Adami. The estate also included a house, a big cage for flying animals (used for correspondence, called in slang “palombara”) and a preciously decorated church, which was dedicated to St Anthony of Padua and to the Virgin Mary.
Affected by a stroke, Marino Catalani spent the last months of his life in Petriolo, where he died on February 18th, 1673, at the age of 65. Giacomo Filippo Catalani, his brother, inherited Marino’s capital.
