Urbino

About 40 kilometers north of Casa Bosco is Urbino, a lively university city with 16,000 inhabitants, including about 8,000 students. The historic center is on the Unesco World Heritage list and is the region’s main attraction. Urbino owes its development to the Duke of Montefeltro (who reigned in the 15th century). Besides being very rich, he was also a great art lover. The most important monument he built is the Palazzo Ducale, according to some, one of the most beautiful buildings in Italy. But there are many more attractions, including the Cathedral (Duomo) and the Oratory of St. John the Baptist (Oratorio di San Giovianni Batista). In Urbino is also the birthplace of the famous painter Raphael, now to visit as a museum. The city is beautifully situated on a hilltop overlooking the undulating green hills that characterize this area. Here you will find a nice video about Urbino.