Urbino, in the Marches, has been called “a city in the shape of a palace” thanks to its peculiar Renaissance architecture. Let’s walk through the city to discover its best landmarks.
Porta Valbona
Porta Valbona is one of the entry gates in the city walls of Urbino. Once you cross the gate, you’ll find yourself on Via Mazzini, the main boulevard that brings you to the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The construction of the gate dates back to 1621 AD, in celebration of the wedding between Federico Ubaldo della Rovere and Claudia de’ Medici: Porta Valbona was a gift from the city to the newlyweds.
Palazzo Ducale
Palazzo Ducaleis considered one of the most representative examples of Renaissance art. Its architecture fits so well in the city landscape that the palace and the city seem to be a continuum, a single structure. The palace hosts one of the most important art collections of the Italian Renaissance: the National Gallery of the Marches, with works by Piero della Francesca, Titian, and Raphael.
Duomo di Urbino
The Duomo of Urbino is the main church of the city. The current achitecture, of neoclassical influence, is the result of several renovations throughout the years, the last of which was at the beginning of the 1800s, when the Duomo was heavily damaged by an earthquake.