Battle of Desio

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Battle of Desio
Part of the conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines
Fresco at the Rocca Borromeo di Angera
Date 21 January 1277 Location Desio, Lombardy 45°37′N 09°13′E / 45.617°N 9.217°E / 45.617; 9.217 Result Decisive Visconti victory
Belligerents
House of Visconti Pavia Novara Como	House of Della Torre
Commanders and leaders
Ottone Visconti Rizzardo di Lomello	Napo della Torre (POW) Francesco della Torre †

The Battle of Desio was fought on 21 January 1277 between the Della Torre and Visconti families for the control of Milan and its countryside. The battlefield is located near the modern Desio, a commune outside the city in Lombardy, Northern Italy.

Although generally considered one of the numerous minor battles fought in the 13th century in Italy during the Wars of the Guelphs and Ghibellines, it was in fact the conclusion of a long inner struggle for the possession of Milan, leading to the transformation of the former democratic regime into an aristocratic signoria. The Visconti victory granted them the rule over Milan, which lasted until the 15th century.