Pesaro - Ducal Palace

(Local Name: Palazzo Ducale) The life of Pesaro centers on the Piazza del Popolo, in which are the Town Hall and the Palazzo Ducale (begun about 1461 for the Sforzas, completed in the 16th century for the Della Rovere). A little way southeast is the Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie, known as San Francesco, with a beautiful Gothic doorway. Farther along are the spacious Piazza Matteotti and the adjoining Giardino Cialdini, a public park, with a 15th century fortress, the Rocca Constanza, now used as a prison. In Via Rossini, which runs from the Piazza del Popolo to the seafront, is Rossini's birthplace (Casa di Rossini, No. 34, on the right), containing a number of pictures and caricatures. From here it is only a short distance to the 13th century cathedral.