Urbino is a city perched in the heart of the Marche region, as well as the provincial capital together with Pesaro. Best known for being the hometown of Raffaello, the ancient village is a small jewel of Italian Renaissance art.
For sure we have heard of the Gothic wars between school desks, but we certainly won't remember that Urvinum Metaurense- the name of the city in Roman times - assumed a fundamental role in the war events of the sixth century. Surely, instead, we will remember that famous portrait of a man immortalized in profile, with a red jacket and hat: well, "that" was Federico da Montelfeltro and it was he himself who wanted the erection of the famous Ducal Palace of Urbino.
Il Ducal Palace, with its tower and its pharaonic structure, it seems to embrace the whole town, although this is already gathered in the surrounding walls. Before the intervention wanted by the Duke of Montefeltro, the Palace was little more than a small residential structure located on the southern hill of the city. The first intervention that led to the current condition of the building involved the conjunction between the two previously built housing units: the result is the Palazzetto delle Jole, in typical Tuscan Renaissance style.
With the subsequent annexation of the cities of Fano e Senigallia, Federico had a greater economic availability at his disposal who decided to invest in the construction of the porticoed courtyard thanks to the inspiration and ingenuity of Luciano Laurana. The latter took care not only of the courtyard but also of the Grand Staircase, the Library, the Sala degli Angeli and the Sala delle Adienze.
The final touch was made by the architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini: he took care not only of the external facade of the building, but of all the internal decorations of the structure.
The majesty of the Palace strikes the visitor's eye since before arriving at the ancient village, in particular it is the elegance of the towers that tickles the attention. The same elegance is also perceived in the external structure that overlooks the entire square.
Currently the Palazzo Ducale is also the seat of the National gallery of brands featuring paintings by the likes of Raffaello, Piero della Francesca, Paolo uccello e Titian.
The Doge's Palace is open on Mondays from 8.30 to 14, while from Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30 to 19.15. The cost of the ticket is 5 euros, reduced to 2.50 euros for European students between 18 and 25 years and for permanent state teachers.
For more information and details, visit the website www.palazzoducaleurbino.it
