URBINO: HISTORY

The city of Urbino, whose historic center was included in the World Heritage of Unesco in 1988, was one of the most significant cities of the Italian Renaissance, which still retains its full architectural heritage.
The name of the city in Roman times was Urvinum Mataurense. It came under the rule of the Goths, the Longobards and the Franks. Finally it was offered to the Church. But it was between 1200 d. c.  and 1500 d. c.,  under the Signory of Montefeltro, that the city became the center of Renaissance and it took the aspect that still has today.

The most famous exponent and remembered of Montefeltro family was Federico, lord of Urbino between 1444 and 1482, in addition to his skills as a military leader and diplomat, he showed great interest in arts and literature. He was responsible for great works of town planning of the city, in order to make it more up to date, and he was responsible for the construction of the majestic Ducal Palace, now the seat of the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche.

Urbino, later, passed into the hands of the Papal States. It was during this period, under the control of the pope already Cardinal Giovan Francesco Albani from Urbino, who was elected in 1701 with the name of Clement XI, that the city started its last great season of splendor. Under the artistic-cultural profile,  many famous buildings like the Town Hall, and churches, including St. Joseph's Oratory and Home of St. Francis, St. Dominic and St. Augustine were restored. The patronage of the Pope's family also brought a rich donations to the Cathedral, like that of the new altar.
In 1860 the city was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia and, consequently, to the Kingdom of Italy by plebiscite and the new government put into effect the confiscation of church property. At the beginning of the twentieth century its University was born and a rapid development that still characterizes Urbino as a city campus began.

PLACES TO VISIT

The city miraculously escaped the German bombing during World War II and it remained almost intact within its Renaissance walls. Among the places of interest you can find:

• The Ducal Palace

The Palace of the Collegio Raffaello

The house of the painter Raffello Sanzio

The cathedral

The Albani Museum and the Cathedral Caves

The Monastery of St. Clare

The Data and the helical ramp

The Sanzio’s theatre

The Church and Convent of San Francesco

The Church of San Domenico

The convent of the Carmelitani scalzi and the Church of the Santissima Annunziata Intra muros

The St. Giovanni’s oratory

The St.  Giuseppe’s Oratory

The Botanical Garden

The Mausoleum of the Dukes

The House of Poetry

These are just some of the places to visit, there are many others, including the most famous civic squares, such as Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza Rinascimento. If you want, we will also accompany you to visit them with the help of guides who will explain the background that artworks conceal.
 

Oratorio S.Giovanni, opera dei Fratelli Salimbeni

Foods

As in every corner of our country, even in the Montefeltro’s  territory, there are many gastronomic uniqueness. During the period of your stay it will be possible to organize tastings that will make you appreciate our flavors and hospitality that distinguishes us. Here we mention the most famous local products, but we will be glad to let you taste their many other specialties as regards products from Alveape,  a beekeeper in the Cesane Park that produces an artisanal liqueur (well known in the tradition of the Celts and Vikings), which was called by the ancients "drink of the gods".
 

The Bianchello

Bianchello Metauro is a DOC wine of the province of Pesaro and Urbino. The boundaries of its production are between a thin band of hills that go from the Adriatic Sea  to the banks of the river Metauro. The best production area, however, is situated north of the river, where there are the historical producers of the denomination.

Wine-tasting proposal

 At the Sugar Cafè of Urbino, it will be possible to organize tastings of local wines. During tastings a local winemaker will show, explain and let you taste 5 types of wines made in 5 different vines. At the end of the tastings there will be a buffet of typical products of Montefeltro

The Truffle

The International Truffle Fair of Acqulagna is the most important event in central Italy dedicated to the Truffle. It is an important event that represents the city also abroad, during which it is possible to taste and buy truffles. During the year there are three truffle events, but the most representative event is that of October-November, where the novelties of the year are proposed, the quality of the product and Acqualagna has become the capital of the truffle. The other two fairs are held in February, dedicated to the precious black truffle, and the other in August, dedicated to the black summer truffle. These fairs attract many tourists, including foreigners. The truffle fair also offers the "Test Hall" and the "Cooking Show", during which it is possible to taste dishes and participate in gastronomic competitions between famous people. Seminars, temporary exhibitions and product presentations are also organized. The truffles produced in Acqualagna are: white truffle, black truffle, black summer truffle. Truffle dogs are: Italian pointer and pointer.

The crescia sfogliata of Urbino

The Crescia sfogliata is apparently similar to the piadina (or vice versa), but crescia has more eggs, lard, milk and pepper, so it remains more flavorful, also thanks to its very special preparation.

The Casciotta of Urbino

The Casciotta of Urbino is an Italian  D.O.P cheese,  typical of  Pesaro and Urbino Province. Its history dates back to the  times of the Duke of Montefeltro. The ingredients are mixed sheep and cow milk. It is framed between the soft cheeses. Once known as "cacina", it looks like a low to medium flavor small cheese.