Orsini family Orsini family Otho Category="Italian noble families"The Orsini family was a powerful noble family in medieval and Renaissance Rome, supplying three popes and many other leaders, and fighting with their rivals, the Colonna family, for influence.

According to their family lore, the Orsinis claim to be descended from the Julio-Claudian family of ancient Rome.

The three Orsini popes were Pope Celestine III (1191-1198), Pope Nicholas III (1277-1280), and Pope Benedict XIII (1724-1730).

In 1426 the Orsini family constructed the castle "Castello Orsini-Odescalchi" in the town of Bracciano.