House of Borgia

Coat of Borgia or Borja

The Borgia family (also Borja, Borjia or Borges) were a noble family during the Renaissance in Italy. They were from Valencia, the name coming from the family fief of Borja, then in the kingdom of Aragon, in Spain.

The Borgias became influential in religion and politics in the 15th and 16th centuries. Two popes came from this family during this time: Alfons de Borja who ruled as Pope Callixtus III during 1455–1458 and Rodrigo Lanzol Borgia, as Pope Alexander VI, during 1492–1503.

During the reign of Alexander VI, the Borgias were suspected of many crimes, including adultery, simony, theft, rape, bribery, incest, and murder. They became enemies of the Medici, the Sforza, and the Dominican friar Savonarola, among others. Today they are remembered for their corrupt rule. The name has become a synonym for libertinism, nepotism and treachery.

Popes

Pope Callixtus III (1455-1458), born Alfonso de Borja^[1]
Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503), born Rodrigo Lanzol Borgia^[2]
Pope Innocent X (1644-1655), born Giovanni Battista Pamphili,^[3] the great-great-great-grandson of Pope Alexander VI^[4]

House Of BorgiaPopes Media

Painting by John Collier, "A glass of wine with Caesar Borgia", from left: Cesare Borgia, Lucrezia, Pope Alexander, and a young man holding an empty glass. The painting represents the popular view of the treacherous nature of the Borgias – the implication being that the young man cannot be sure that the wine is not poisoned.
Borja or Borgia genealogy tree
Coat of arms of the dukes of Gandía.
Coat of arms of the dukes of Valentinois.
Coat of arms of Cesare Borgia as Duke of Romagna and Valentinois and Captain-General of the Church
Alfons de Borja Pope Callixtus III
Rodrigo Borja Pope Alexander VI, father of Cesare, Giovanni, Lucrezia and Gioffre.
Giovanni Borgia 2nd Duke of Gandia
Portrait of a Gentleman, Cesare Borgia Duke of Valentinois
Lucrezia Borgia Duchess of Ferrara and Modena