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Pesaro and Urbino

Description

Pesaro - Square

Pesaro - Square

Sea, mountains, music and majolica tiles. The splendor of nature and history unite the Province of Pesaro and Urbino, the so-called Riviera delle Colline or "Riviera of Hills."
This vast expanse of central Italy ranges from the Apennine foothills to the Adriatic Sea. The landscape is kaleidoscopic, composed mainly of hills and highlands.
The area is a popular destination for tourists seeking a variety experiences. Geology has truly worked its wonders here, rendering the Province especially charming and unique. Pesaro is bathed by the Adriatic Sea on one side - making it a favorite beach destination - and hugged by the hills to the city's north (San Bartolo, also a nature reserve) and south (Ardizio, which divides Pesaro from Fano), allowing for a mild climate year-round.
A visit to this area becomes a discovery of the relationship between town and sea, between the agricultural and the urban, between coast and rolling hills. In short, it is an area to explore and admire for its unusual beauty. 

What to see

There are plenty of possible itineraries to enjoy the many splendors of this land. Starting from the main town, highly-recommended is a visit to the Ceramics Museum, Italy's most important, and decorated by items from the best pottery workshops of the Renaissance era. Between the 14th and the 17th Centuries, a majolica industry of exceptional importance flourished in Pesaro, in a style of decoration inspired by Raffaello during the 16th century. 
Pesaro offers many sightseeing opportunities, starting from the town streets around Piazza del Popolo and the Palazzo Ducale to the Museo Civico (Civic Museum, includes the Ceramics Museum), and the Pinacoteca with works by Giovanni Bellini, Vitale da Bologna and Guido Reni. On the opposite side of the Civic Museum is the Oliverian Archeological Museum, with valuable artworks exhibited in the 17th-Century halls of Palazzo Americi. The Rocca and its cylindrical towers, built by Luciano Laurana  for Costanzo Sforza in 1474-87 comprise a prime example of 15th-Century architecture. Pesaro is also  the birthplace of composer Gioacchino Rossini, whose home-museum is open to visitors. Every year, the conservatory and theatre, both named after him, host the Rossini Opera Festival and draws enthusiasts from all over the world. Also meriting vists are two villages built on sea cliffs outside of Pesaro: Fiorenzuola di Focara, a picturesque Medieval village, and Casteldimezzo with its 13th-14th Century walls. Afterwards, a drive to Gradara is recommended, a delightful Medieval village that maintains its original walls made up of towers and battlements, and the square castle, an authentic Medieval environment. Fano is a town with a wealth of historical landmarks, such as the Arch of Augustus and the Palazzo Malatesta, home to the Museo Civico and Pinacoteca (civic museum and art gallery), with collections ranging from the Neolithic period to the present time. 

Moving on to Urbino, be sure to see one of the most evocative sites here: the Fonte Avellana hermitage and the Romanesque-Gothic church, mentioned by Dante in the 21st Canto of the Paradiso. Visitors to Urbino will find its grandeur to be quite captivating. Surrounded by 16th-Century walls built by the Montefeltro family, first is the Palazzo Ducale, with its winged façade that opens itself out to the city. The Palace is a symbol of a new, more humanistic architecture, where the geometric rigor of proportion dominates. The ‘Staircase of Honor’, decorated by Ambrogio Barocci, conducts visitors into the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, a Palace museum with invaluable artworks. In Duke Federico’s apartment reside two masterpieces by Piero della Francesca, The Flagellation and The Madonna of Senigallia, while in the Duchess’s apartment are Raffaello’s La MutaThe Blessing Christ, attributed to Bramantino, along with Titian's The Last Supper and The Resurrection, to name but a few. Finally, the Cathedral and Museo Diocesano (Diocesan Museum), re-built in the Neoclassical style after the 1789 earthquake. From there, the visitor can walk along Via Raffaello to arrive at Raffaello Sanzio’s birthplace, which still displays engravings and reproductions of his masterpieces. Urbino's extraordinary Renaissance art and architecture, which blend superbly with its medieval past, led to Urbino being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
Also visit the Palazzo Ducale, Sant’Angelo in Vado and Mercatello sul Metàuro at Lamoli Abbey, which can be reached by driving through the town centers of Urbania from Urbino.

What to do

The Pesaro Province bears a striking landscape, well-suited to those who love the sea. Beautiful, remote beaches at the feet of San Bartalo and Ardizio; here the sea life is ideal for families and for those who want to get away from mass tourism, without sacrificing fun and entertainment! During the summer, in fact, bands, flea markets and enogastronomic events enliven the whole area. While  the beaches of Marotta are the most frequented, the area still retains a friendly and hospitable atmosphere. Between Pesaro and Fano, where the beach is the most extensive, the cliffs that ring the coastline create safe coves for children. To the north, near the border with Emilia, lies Gabicce Mare, one of the most popular and lively resorts of the coast. The service is excellent everywhere; the hotels have managed to renew themselves over the years.
The area offers countless opportunities for aquatic sports such as sailing and windsurfing, while there are alternatives for those who prefer to mix the seaside with the appreciation of the green of the countryside. Among the historical re-enactments not to be missed is the reconstruction of the feats of the Della Rovere family in Mondavio with the ‘Palio of the Wild Boar,’ during which representatives from the three districts challenge each other. The Carnevale di Fano has ancient roots, where the floats parade amidst music, lights and colors, handing out candies and chocolates. The symbolic element of the event is the vulon, a mask that represents in caricature the most notable people of the town. In Gradara, there is the so-called ‘Seduction at the Castle’, a game between knights and dames with shows and re-enactments, while in Cagli there is the ‘Palio of the Goose’, a celebration in Renaissance costumes. 

What to taste

Throughout the years, the history of the area has influenced the local cuisine - mainly composed of ancient traditions and flavors that have remained unchanged and that make every dish special. The visitor cannot leave Pesaro without having tried the tournedos alla Rossini, a braised fillet with ham, mushrooms, parsley, lemon and pepper. In addition to the seafood, such as the local broth, there are many kinds of meat, cheese, cured meats and sausages.
Another key ingredient in the local cuisine, found especially in some recipes of the inland areas such as Sant'Angelo in Vado, is the truffle (white and black); together with mushrooms, it is the central component for the local vincisgrassi. This recipe is linked with an ancient legend; the name derives from a captain of the Austrian army, Prince Windisch–Graetz, who was deployed in the area to fight Napoleon’s army. His love for this recipe prepared by a local cook was so great that, since that time, the Italian version of the prince’s name was adopted to designate the lasagne-like dish. 

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