Bartolomeo Marchionni
Florentine merchant who financed voyages to India and Brazil.
Bartolomeo Marchionni (late 15th to early 16th century) was a Florentine merchant established in Lisbon during the Age of Discovery. He arrived circa 1468 as an agent to the Cambini. Over a long career he became the most successful merchant and one of the richest men in Lisbon at the time. He was the chief merchant in sugar from Madeira islands and participated extensively in voyages to Guinea, Brazil, Madeira, and would finance several voyages to India. In 1500, in a joint enterprise with Dom Álvaro of Portugal and Girolamo Sernigi, he sent a ship in the second fleet to India that discovered Brazil under the command of Pedro Álvares Cabral. In 1501 he financed the third Portuguese armada to India, under a joint private initiative with Portuguese Dom Álvaro of Braganza.
Quick Facts
- Born
- late 15th to early 16th century
- Arrived in lisbon
- circa 1468
- Key trade
- Sugar from Madeira
- Notable venture
- Co-financed 1500 fleet that discovered Brazil
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The 1501 armada he co-financed consisted of four vessels and departed Lisbon on 9 or 10 March 1501.
- His son Pêro Paulo Marchionni became a shipowner.
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