Urbino Tourist Attractions
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SituationThe town of Urbino lies on a steep-sided hill in the north of the Central Italian region of Marche, some 35km/22mi west of Pesaro and about 70km/43mi south of Rimini.
Cathedral
In the center of Urbino is the Piazza della Repubblica, the market square. From here Via Vittorio Veneto leads up to the Piazza Duca Federico, on the north side of which stands the cathedral, rebuilt in 1801 after the destruction of an earlier church by an earthquake in 1789. It contains a number of fine paintings, including in particular works by Federigo Barocci. In the third chapel in the crypt (entered from outside the church, under the arcades to the left) is a marble figure of the dead Christ by Giovanni Bandini.
Cathedral Museum
To the right of the cathedral in Urbino is the Museo del Duomo "Albani", which contains 14th century frescoes, ceramics, sacral objects and chasubles, 14th-17th century pictures and a bronze paschal candelabra.
Palazzo Ducale
The Palazzo Ducale, opposite the cathedral in Urbino, built by the Dalmatian architect Luciano da Laurana from 1465 onwards, is the most perfectly preserved example of an Italian princely residence of the period. Notable features are the colonnaded courtyard (c. 1470) and the staircase.
National Gallery of the Marches
The magnificent state apartments on the first and second floors now house the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche (National Gallery of the Marche), a rich picture gallery, with Raphael's "Mute" and pictures by Paolo Uccello ("Miracle of the Communion"), Piero della Francesca, Titian, Barocci, Gentileschi and Simone de Magistris. There are also tapestries and sculpture.
San Domenico
Opposite the Ducal Palace can be seen the church of San Domenico (14th-15th century), with a fine doorway by Maso di Bartolomeo (1449-54). A little way south is the university founded in 1671, with a coat of arms above the doorway.
Piazza della Repubblica
From the Piazza della Repubblica in Urbino, Via Raffaello climbs up towards the northwest. At the near end, on the right, is the church of San Francesco (14th century), with a porch and a fine campanile.
Raphaels Birthplace
At (No 57) Via Raffaello is Raphael's Birthplace (Casa Natale di Raffaello; plaque and museum); Raphael lived here until the age of fourteen.
Monument to Raphael
Via Raffaello meets the spacious, park-like Piazzale Roma, with a Monument to Raphael (1897). From the adjoining bastion, Pian del Monte, there are excellent views, extending as far as San Marino.
Oratorio di San Giuseppe
Southwest of the Piazza della Repubblica, at the end of the short Via Barocci, the Oratorio di San Giuseppe has a life-size Nativity group by Federico Brandano. Nearby in the Oratorio di San Giovanni are paintings by Lorenzo and Jacopo Salimbeni (1416).
Surroundings
Furlo Gorge
There is a rewarding drive to the Furlo Gorge (Gola del Furlo), enclosed by sheer rock faces. At the narrowest point is the Galleria Romana del Furlo or Forulus (177m/584ft), a tunnel 37m/40yd long carrying the Via Flaminia through the rock. It bears an inscription recording that it was cut by the Emperor Vespasian in A.D. 76. Adjoining is the older Galleria Piccola del Furlo 8m/9yd long (third century B.C.).
