History The Castellini Baldissera are an Italian aristocratic family, related to the Visconti, Medici and Casati families. Their ancestral homes include the 14th century :it:Casa Atellani|Casa Atellani in Milan and the 18th century Villa Castellini, on Lago Maggiore as well as a number of castles and villas in Emiglia Romagna and Brianza. The Maranghi and Castellini families are still active in banking, real estate and textile production within Italy and the rest of Europe, The family is known for having co-owned Barclays, "Banca Barclays Castellini SpA Milan was formed in conjunction with Banca Castellini and Co Milan, of which Barclays International held a majority stake". The Counts of Baldissera can be traced back to the early 16th century, originating from the town of Bra in Piedmont. Both the Castellini and Baldissera families have a long military tradition within the Royal Italian Army and Imperial Austrian Army; with most members going on to occupy senior positions in both. The most distinguished and well recognised member of the Baldissera family is Antonio Baldissera, a General who served as the Governor of Italian Eritrea and was crucial in founding Italy through his involvement in the Italian War of Independence. The Baldissera family were also extremely close with the Austrian Imperial family, with the young Antonio Baldissera having been directly recommended for service by Maria Anna of Savoy, Empress consort of Austria. :it:Ettore Conti di Verampio|Ettore of Verampio, Count of Verampio another member of the family known for his position as a Senator in both the Kingdom and the Republic of Italy; he was also the founder of AGIP and Edison. Another renowned member of the family, Piero Portaluppi, was an architect and real estate mogul who designed a great number of villas and palazzos in and around Milan. Portaluppi was also responsible for the restoration the Duomo di Milano and the Basilica di Sant Ambrogio after World War II, Portaluppi also designed the Museo Del Novecento and :it:Villa Necchi Campiglio|Villa Necchi di Campiglio. The family is also known for having created many of the electric plants and companies which give power to the majority of northern Italy.
