The Italians are masters of building incredibly adorable cities, which bear the stamp of Italian genius, but are entirely different from one another at the same time. If you ever plan to stop traveling, make Italy your last trip. Visit the entire country and every single city on your way … you’ll never want to go anywhere else after that.
One of such heavenly beautiful cities is Urbino. It looks like a stone fortress from afar. There is absolutely no splash of colors, no street art, nothing too modern, but it can still be a fantastic honeymoon destination. Instead, the city has a spectacular feel of a medieval Italian town, where people dress up in super-big cloths and ride horses.
The first settlements of Urbino date back to 3rd century BC, when a small fortification as built to protect the population. However, the city started to grow rapidly in the 11th century, and new walls were required. And the city grew bigger and bigger.
It’s currently located in Marche region and is only 30 km away from the Adriatic Sea. Interestingly, the town doesn’t enjoy a huge tourist flow. Moreover, there are no trains coming in or out of the city.
Urbino has always rivaled with such famous cities like Florence. Unlike the latter, Urbino has preserved the local flavors and is giving in to tourist trends little by little.
What to see in Urbino?
The Ducal Palace is of great importance. It was built in the 15th century and features the luxury of an Italian duke. The palace was often referred to as a small town, as the number of servants used to exceed 500. The initial owner of the palace, Federico da Montefeltro, was an enthusiastic art fan and had numerous books and manuscripts in possession. These treasures were taken to Vatican in the 18th century.
The National Gallery of Marche is located right next to the Ducal Palace and holds one of the most important collection of Renaissance paintings in Italy.
Duomo is a cathedral built on the spot of another 6th-century religious site. The new building dates back to the early 17th century. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by an earthquake in late 18th century, but was reconstructed later. Although the interior is nowhere near to be compared with the true Italian luxury, it’s still quite rich with decorations.
Raphael’s House is a must for all those who appreciate the Italian art legends. One of those legends, Raphael, was born in Urbino. His family house was later turned into a museum. As Renaissance conquered the world, it was this small town that attracted numerous representatives of the new movement. Artists from all over the country would come here to find inspiration. In fact, it’s still a great place to find your muse!
The Botanical Garden is another popular tourist destination in Urbino. Firstly, it’s free! Secondly, it’s almost two hundred years old. The park is not very big, but you’ll find a great collection of plants, ponds, and breathtaking scenes.
By the way, Urbino is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If Urbino can’t take your breath away … no, it’s impossible, this city will amaze you to the point, you’ll want to come back again. Enjoy every minute while you’re there, as it’s a legendary city with legendary views.