Location: Pesaro-Urbino in Italy
Nearest Airport:
Rimini at 80
Kilometres
Nearest Ferry:
Fano at 60
Kilometres
Nearest Train:
Fano at 60
Kilometres
Nearest Motorway:
Fermignano at 15
Kilometres
Nearest Beach:
beach at 60.0
Metres
Car: necessary
Urbania - Attractively sited on the fast-flowing Metauro river, this striking small town is surprisingly rich in impressive buildings and works of art. Formerly known as Castel Durante, it was renamed by Pope Urban VIII in 1636, shortly after the last Duke of Urbino handed over his lands to the Papal States.
The imposing Palazzo Ducale (above) was originally a 13thC feudal stronghold later given airs and graces by Duke Federico of Urbino - his favourite architect, Francesco di Giorgio Martini, was responsible for a large part of the facelift.
Cross the gracious courtyard to see an appealing museum of paintings, ancient maps and globes, and Renaissance ceramics (16thC Castel Durante boasted 32 majolica or painted pottery workshops).
If you arrive from Sant'Angelo in Vado look out for the striking Renaissance villa just before the town - it was once a hunting lodge for the Dukes of Urbino.
Urbino it is another city that really worth a visit.