Urbino

Urbino is an ancient city that had its heyday under the Duke of Montefeltro. It is birthplace of two great artists, Bramante and Raphael. The city was declared a world heritage by UNESCO. The Palazzo Ducale (end of the XV century), a splendid princely residence, is a beautiful example of Renaissance architecture, defined as “a city in the form of a palace”, by humanist Baldassarre da Castiglione. It was built by Luciano Laurana (1464-1472), who designed and carried out the main part of the building. Then Francesco di Giorgio Martini, who built the most important fortresses in the Montefeltro, finished the work of Laurana. Nowadays the Palace houses the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche. On the first floor, or noble floor, are the rooms where Federico II lived with his family (particularly interesting is the Duke’s study), full of many remarkable artworks. There are works by Pedro Berruguete “The Duke and son portrait”, by Raffaello “La Muta”, Paolo Uccello, Piero della Francesca “The Flagellation” and the “Madonna of Senigallia”, Luciano Laurana and Federico Barocci. Urbino is the birthplace of Raphael, one of the most remarkable Renaissance artist. The house where he was born is now a delightful little museum.