Sights of Urbino: what to see in the homeland of Raphael in Italy

Urbino, despite its modest scale, is one of the most picturesque, multifaceted and generally interesting cities in Italy. With deep historical roots and a number of impressive achievements, the city has been and remains a significant cultural and educational center of the Marche region for hundreds of years. Due to Urbino alone, Italy attracts millions of tourists every year. Such interest is more than deserved, since the sights of Urbino are completely unique, and today they will be discussed.

For tourists, Urbino is attractive with its dazzlingly beautiful medieval architecture, interesting events and, of course, priceless historical monuments. Urbino is worth a visit if only to visit the house where the great Raphael himself was born.

How to get to Urbino

Getting to Urbino is not so easy. First of all, you need to fly to the nearest airport. The starting point can be the airports of Rimini, Bologna or Ancona. True, it is worth counting that you can fly directly from Russia only in the first two. It is easiest to find the necessary tickets for convenient dates in the form below.

Next can be reached by public transport. True, railway trains do not run to Urbino itself, and Pesaro will be the nearest transfer point. From the train station in Pesaro to Urbino, buses 46 and CD / CS run regularly.

From Monday to Saturday, buses run almost every hour, but on Sunday the number of flights is much less: the first bus leaves at 09:15 and runs every three hours (the last at 20:15). Travel time will be 45-75 minutes, depending on the specific flight.

Tickets are sold at press kiosks or on the bus in the machine itself. If you are going to buy a ticket on the bus, prepare a trifle in advance, as the machine does not give change.

The historic center of Urbino is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

A good option is to get to Rafael's homeland by car. You can always rent a car at the airport of arrival or pre-order a transfer. The shortest route to Urbino is via the S423 motorway with a starting point in the same Pesaro. Keep in mind that most likely, upon arrival, you will have to leave the car outside the walls of the old city. This can be done at any of the parking lots, and from there drive to the city center by shuttle bus or taxi.

Well, for those who plan to relax in Rimini, we advise you to book an excursion to Urbino with our wonderful guide Victoria, about whom Blogoitaliano wrote a separate article. Keep in mind that this excursion destination is one of the most popular and in demand, convenient dates can be busy during peak season. Book your tour in advance!

Hotels Urbino

Those who are planning a trip to the city of Urbino in Italy for more than one day should take care in advance to find the right hotel. There are not many hotels in Urbino. The most luxurious - 4 star categories are located in the city center. Those who want to save money are advised to pay attention to apartments or private villas. You can find accommodation that meets all your wishes by the link below.

Attractions Urbino

Needless to say, in the old town of Urbino, almost every house and every building is a historical and architectural monument worthy of the UNESCO “conservation” list. However, under the protection of this international organization is only the historical center of the city.

Borgo Mercatale Square

Most excursions start at Borgo Mercatale Square. Such a starting point was formed in a natural way - the area is not only picturesque in itself, but also located next to the bus station. Here, on the square, there is an information center for tourists, where you can get a map and any information useful to tourists for free.

Raphael's House

The road through the ancient gates of Porta Valbona, and then along Via Mazzini, will lead you to the crowded Piazza della Repubblica. Here, turning left and walking past the church of San Francesco, you will find Via Raffaello, where one of the must-see places in Urbino is located.

Raphael House Museum in Urbino

This Casa Raffaello is exactly the house where the great Rafael Santi was born on April 6, 1483. The brilliant Italian painter spent his childhood and youth here, studying with his father Giovanni Santi, who at that time was the court painter of the Duke of Urbinsky.

Now Casa Raffaello is Rafael's house museum, where canvases by Giovanni Santi are displayed; the first of the famous "Madonna" by Raphael, which he wrote as a young man, as well as a collection of various historical objects of the XV century family.

Raphael Monument and Lookouts

Moving further along Via Raffaello, you will exit to the Rafael Monument, where from the observation deck you can enjoy the magnificent panorama of the surrounding mountains.

Monument to Raphael in his homeland in Urbino

Even more amazing views await you if you go a little further north-west along the ramparts parallel to Via le Buozzi. Before reaching the fortification of Fortezza Albornoz in the wall, you can find a small gate leading to the stairs on the earthen rampart of Parco della Resistenza. It is from there that an absolutely stunning panorama opens with all the sights of Urbino.

Ducal Palace and medieval chapels

Climbing Via Barocci, you can find yourself at the medieval chapels of Oratorio di San Giovanni Battista and Oratorio di San Giuseppe, famous for their fresco paintings of the 16th century. And then go to the main attraction of Urbino - the palace of the Dukes of Urbinsk.

Oratorio of St. John the Baptist amazes with the beauty of his frescoes

Against the backdrop of a stunning architectural ensemble, the interior of the palace does not disappoint at all - magnificent frescoes, a collection of sculptures mesmerizing with its artistry, an art gallery with works of the Renaissance - visitors to the palace can enjoy all this by paying an entrance fee of 4 Euros. By the way, the National Gallery of the Marche region is currently located in the Palazzo Ducale.

Palazzo Ducale - the most famous attraction of the city of Urbino

Cathedral

It is also worth a visit to the Cathedral - a unique building of the Renaissance.

The first cathedral was built in the early Middle Ages - in 1021 - and since then it has changed its appearance radically several times. The cathedral, which has survived to this day, was acquired at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries. Then the complex was rebuilt by the Roman architect Giuseppe Walder after serious damage received during the earthquake of 1781.

Cathedral of Urbino

Other sights of Urbino

Also, having been in the city, you can not pass by such attractions of Urbino as:

Marche National Gallery with the best Renaissance art collection in the region,
The university, known far beyond the borders of Urbino since 1506. By the way, thanks to the university, the population of Urbino almost doubles during the school season.
Church of St. Dominic, built in the XIV century.
the Odasi Palace, which now houses the Urbino City Museum and the House of Poetry.

Holiday Festa del Duсa

Urbino is interesting not only for its sights, but also for its festivals. The most significant event of the year is the Festa del Duña holiday. This is a colorful costume festival, the key theme of which is the reconstruction of one of the most high-profile military victories in the history of Urbino. We are talking about the events of the XV century /, when the troops of the Duke of Federico da Montefeltro defeated the forces of the Duke of Milan - Francesco Sforza.

The holiday is organized every year in the second half of August. These days in Urbino numerous dance and theater performances are held, open screenings of historical films are organized, fairs are held in the central squares of the city. And all this with a stunning visual component and reliable medieval surroundings - costume performances, roving musicians, music of bygone eras and a lot of all the most interesting.

The scale and detail of the reconstruction of the appearance of the city of the XV century is amazing. Having arrived in Urbino precisely these days, you can get a lot of impressions from the costumed performances of tournaments and battles, visit the tavern in not only historical but also gastronomic reconstruction. Outdoor restaurant venues will offer you to try various dishes prepared in strict accordance with authentic recipes of the Renaissance.

Finally, the central event of the Festa del Duсa holiday is a theatrical costume show, a reconstruction of the final battle of the troops of the two dukes, in which Federico da Montefeltro won a glorious victory, losing, however, his right eye.

Photos by: Ad de Roij, Sailko, Sergio D'Afflitto, Diego Baglieri, Mattis, GueQuattro