Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A monumental staircase, one of Italy's first, leads to the
piano nobile
(literally 'noble
floor') and the Ducal Apartments. Piero della Francesca was one of the artists employed
by the duke, and his work,
The Flagellation
, adorns the duke's library. The collection also
includes a large number of drawings by Federico Barocci, as well as stunning Renaissance
works by Raphael, Titian and Signorelli.
From Corso Garibaldi you get the best view of the complex, with its unusual Facciata
dei Torricini, a three-storey loggia in the form of a triumphal arch, flanked by circular
towers.
CHURCH
Cattedrale di Urbino
( 7.30am-1pm & 2-7pm)
Rebuilt in the early 19th century in neoclassical style, the interior
of Urbino's
duomo
commands much greater interest than its austere facade. Particularly
memorable is Federico Barocci's
Last Supper
. The basilica's
Museo Diocesano Albani
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.museodiocesanourbino.it
;
admission €3; 9.30am-1pm &
2.30-6.30pm Wed-Mon)
contains religious artefacts, vestments and more paintings, including
Andrea da Bologna's
Madonna del Latte
(Madonna Breastfeeding).
Casa Natale di Raffaello
HOUSE MUSEUM
(Via Raffaello 57; adult/reduced €3.50/2.50; 9am-1pm & 3-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm Sat & Sun sum-
mer, 9am-2pm Mon-Fri winter)
North of the Piazza della Repubblica you'll find the 15th-cen-
tury house where Raphael was born in 1483 and spent his first 16 years. On the 1st floor is
possibly one of Raphael's first frescoes, a Madonna with child. The museum takes a
touching look at Raphael's family life.
Above all it homes in on the influence of his father, Giovanni Santi, who was a court
painter and taught his talented young son all he knew.
Museo della Città
(Via Valerio 1; adult/reduced €1/0.50; 9.30am-1.30pm Mon & Wed-Fri, 10am-6pm Sat & Sun)
South
of the piazza, the museum in the Renaissance Palazzo Odasi has displays on Urbino's his-
tory, including a scale model of the city (useful for finding your bearings) and various ar-
chaic signs. It centres on a lovely arcaded inner courtyard.
MUSEUM
