Paolo Malatesta | |
|---|---|
| Count of Ghiaggiolo | |
 Paolo and Francesca, by Ernst Klimt (c. 1890) | |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Reign | 1269 - 1285 |
| Predecessor | Uberto I di Ghiaggiolo |
| Successor | Uberto II Malatesta |
| Born | circa 1246 Verucchio, Romagna, Papal States (now in Italy) |
| Died | Between 1282 and 1285 Gradara, Marche, Papal States (now in Italy) |
| Buried | Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, Rimini |
| Spouse(s) | Orabile Beatrice di Ghiaggiolo |
| Issue | Uberto Malatesta Margherita Malatesta |
| Father | Malatesta da Verucchio |
| Mother | Concordia dei Pandolfini |
Paolo Malatesta (Italian pronunciation: [ˈpaːolo malaˈtɛsta]; c. 1246 – 1285), also known as il Bello ('the Beautiful'), was the third son of Malatesta da Verucchio, Lord of Rimini. He is best known for the story of his affair with Francesca da Polenta, portrayed by Dante in a famous episode of his Inferno (Canto V). He was the brother of Giovanni (Gianciotto) and Malatestino Malatesta.