Pesaro, capital of the province of Pesaro e Urbino and a very popular seaside resort, lies at the mouth of the River Foglia, on the northwest Adriatic coast between Rimini and Ancona.
In the 16th and 17th centuries Pesaro was the residence of the Della Rovere family, dukes of Urbino, and a center of art and literature, famous for its majolica factories. The composer Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) was born here.
Gradara, 15km/9.5mi northwest of Pesaro, is a pretty little medieval town with a 13th century castle. It is said to be the scene for Dante's tragedy of the lovers Francesca and Paolo.
To the west of the cathedral, in the Palazzo Toschi-Mosca, are the Musei Civici, with a notable collection of pictures (works by Bellini, "Coronation of the Virgin", and Marco Zoppo) and an outstanding collection of majolica, the finest in Italy.
Address: Municipal Museum, Piazza Toschi Mosca, I-61100 Pèsaro, Italy
Hours:
May 1 to September 30: 9am-8pm; Sun:9am-1pm; Closed: Mon
October 1 to April 30: 9am-1:30pm; Sun:9am-1pm; Closed: Mon, Mon
6km/4 mi north of Pesaro, on the road to Gabbice, lies the Villa Imperiale, an impressive Renaissance building (1486) surrounded by a park (guided tours only).
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Gradara, Italy
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Gradara, Pesaro
