Urbino

Urbino is a comune in the Marche, south-west of Pesaro, and a World Heritage Site notable for a remarkable legacy of independent Renaissance culture, especially under Federico da Montefeltro, duke from 1444 to 1482. The town is set on a high sloping hillside and keeps much of its original character. The Palazzo Ducale at its centre was built as much as a statement of ideas as a residence, and the walk up to it from any direction is steep enough to be part of the experience.