Where the Rinascimento finds its home
Art and history are palpable in the streets and alleyways of Urbino. In fact, the old town, enclosed by city walls, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998.
Urbino, located between the valleys of Metauro and Foglia, perched on the hills of the Marche region overlooking the Adriatic Sea, is renowned as one of the most important hubs of the Italian Rinascimento. Its artistic allure and architectural legacy still remain intact to this day.
Its wealth of history and art is punctuated by important people and events of the past.
Records bear witness to significant activities since the Middle Ages, but it was during the Rinascimento that the town reached its peak of splendour. Duke Federico, a renowned patron of both arts and warfare, attracted some of the most distinguished artists of his time to Palazzo Ducale (now the National Gallery of the Marche region), including Raphael Sanzio who was born in the ducal city.
However, Urbino is also known for its association with famous artists and architects such as Piero della Francesca, Francesco di Giorgio Martini, Francesco Laurana, and Giovanni Santi (father of Raphael). What’s more, several illustrious popes have links to the town.
Today, Urbino is a university town that balances the allure of the past with a modern city lifestyle, waiting to be explored through its charming alleys and captivating vistas. There are numerous outdoor activities that can be enjoyed in Urbino, including hiking and e-biking, as well as traditional pursuits like cooking courses, ceramics, and engraving.
Fun fact
The ducal city boasts kilometres and kilometres of tunnels beneath it, which were once used as passages with numerous access points scattered throughout the town. Today, they can only be accessed in some areas by speleologists!