Virida Visconti, a duchess from the famous Milanese family, spent the autumn of her life at the Pristava hunting castle. Known as a benefactor of the Stica monastery, advisor and supporter of her husband, the Austrian Duke Leopold III. Virida Visconti marked the history of the place with her nobility and faith. Today, in her memory, we are proud of the Church of St. Lambert and a memorial plaque in her honor on Pristava.
Pristava is a place where history comes to life through the story of Virida Visconti, a duchess from the famous Milanese Visconti family. As the firstborn of Barnabas and Matilda Visconti, Virida lived a luxurious life in Milan in her youth. In addition to her education and admiration for the works of the Italian poet Petrarca, she helped make flags for the Milanese army, which depicted the family coat of arms - a snake devouring a child, today recognizable as the symbol of Alfa Romeo.
In her youth, she was married to the Austrian Duke Leopold III. Although her early experiences at the Austrian court were difficult, she and her husband eventually became successful and popular leaders. With her advice and support, Leopold conquered many territories, including Carniola, Styria, and Tyrol, while Virida raised their four children and implemented her vision of political and religious stability.
After Leopold's tragic death in the Battle of Lucerne, Virida returned to the vicinity of the Stica monastery, where she spent the rest of her life at the hunting castle of Pristava. Through almsgiving and penance, she became a benefactor of the surrounding population and the Stica monastery. She met her death in Pristava, and was buried in the Stica crypt in 1407 (or 1415).
Today, Pristava preserves her memory with the Church of St. Lambert, where a memorial plaque was erected on the 600th anniversary of her death. Virida Visconti remains a symbol of nobility, faith, and the historical legacy of a place of which we, the residents, are proud.
Translated by Google •
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