Urbino, Italy

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Metaurense. In 1213 it came into the hands of the Montefeltro family, which acquired the ducal title in the 15th century. The court of Duke Federico di Montefeltro (1444-82), a discriminating patron of art and learning, was recognized to be the most splendid of its day. From 1508 to 1631 the duchy was held by the Della Rovere family; thereafter it was incorporated in the States of the Church.

Art

In the 15th century the painters Paolo Uccello, Piero della Francesca, Melozzo da Forli and Giovanni Santi (Raphael's father) worked in Urbino. The great architect Bramante (1444-1514) was born near the town, and probably worked for Luciano de Laurana. Raphael (1483-1520) and the Baroque painter Federigo Barocci (c. 1537-1612) were natives of Urbino. It was here that Count Baldassare Castiglione (1478-1529) wrote his Il Librodel Cortegiano, a manual for courtiers.

The Historic Centre of Urbino was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998.