Urbino

Le Marche is replete with pretty hilltop villages and towns. One of the larger and more famous of these is the Renaissance town of Urbino. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Urbino has retained much of its medieval charm. This was largely due to its economic stagnation from the 16th century onwards. Though it may appear to be stuck in a time warp, Urbino is a delightful place to amble about in. Its medieval walls and four town gates still stand tall and proud, and most of the historic points of interest lie within. Urbino flourished during the Renaissance, and many painters, poets and other artists found patronage under the Duke of Urbino, Federico de Montefeltro. The imposing Palazzo Ducale (Duke’s Palace) houses the National Gallery of Le Marche. A walk inside will give you an idea of its opulence in the 15th century – elegant arcades, carved ornamentation, monumental staircases, a decorative main courtyard – you can literally take a walk back into time. The museum has one of the most important collections of Renaissance art in the world, and you will find in there the works of Raphael, Titian, Piero della Francesca and more. Next to the palace, stands the Duomo di Urbino (Urbino Cathedral). A cathedral has stood at this site since 1021. The current cathedral took its form in the 15th and later in the 17th century. A powerful earthquake toppled the cupola in 1789, and it was reconstructed by the famous Italian architect and designer Giuseppe Valadier.