I wrote a little bit in my first #dolcevitabloggers post about my time doing Erasmus in Urbino. I travelled to quite a few places in Italy during the five months that I spent there but I would still say now that it remains my favourite city. I just loved the cobbled streets, the architecture and the amazing surrounding scenery of the Marche hills.
Urbino is a historic walled city and is accessible by bus or car. The closest train station is Pesaro and closest airport is Ancona which you can fly to from London Stanstead. I thought for this post I would give you my top 5 places to visit in the city so here we go:
- Il Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace) built in the 15th century which also houses the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche (the National Gallery containing important Italian Renaissance artwork including “La Muta” by Raphael). I just fell in love with its turrets which look like something out of a fairytale, a little girl’s dream!
2. La Fortezza – take the steep walk up to the top of Via Raffaello to see the beautiful view of the palace in the photo below. I could spend all day just sitting there in the small peaceful garden, and in fact I know this is morbid but it’s actually written in my will that I would like my ashes scattered there if possible.
Image © Tinieder | Megapixl.com
3. L’Oratorio di San Giovanni Battista is where you can find the most beautiful 15th century frescoes by Lorenzo Salimbeni. I loved this artwork so much I wrote my end of year dissertation on it.
Image By Mattis – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
4. Il Duomo (cathedral). You haven’t visited an Italian city if you don’t take a trip into the cathedral. I’m not religious at all but I love visiting Italian churches just to look at the artwork in them.
5. The birthplace of Raphael. There isn’t too much to see in this 15th century house but if you’re at all interested in Renaissance art, it’s great to say you have been in the house where one of the most famous painters in history was born.
Other things I love to do in the city are mainly food related and include going for a “bigne al cioccolato” (like a large profiterole filled with chocolate custard), drinking a real thick Italian hot chocolate, looking in the stationary and paper shops and enjoying a drink and bar snacks in one of the local small and cozy bars.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this post and that you get the opportunity to visit Urbino one day, it really is a beautiful place.
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Don’t forget to head over to see the other favourite city posts from Kelly at italianatheart.com, Jasmine at questadolcevita.com and Kristie at mammaprada.com
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Loving all the posts from the #DolceVita linkup. I haven’t been to this part of Marche but your post is so enticing!! Lovely photos. x
Thank you x
Laura, don’t tell any of the other bloggers, but I secretly love that you chose a lesser known Italian city to share. I know that of course, people gravitate to cities that they have memories associated with however, it was really interesting to learn a bit about Urbino and see your photos. It’s absolutely beautiful!!! Especially the photo of the fortress. Not morbid at all about the ashes, that is LEGIT. <3
Thank you Jasmine, that is so kind. I feel like I left part of my heart there, you know? X
How incredible is this city?! I had heard of it but never thought of visiting. It looks like a fairytale. I’m going to have to add it to my list for our next road trip. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful place and somewhere a bit unknown. The colours of the buildings are just stunning. xx
You just have to add it to your list, it takes a bit to get there but so worth it 🙂
Italy never ceases to amaze me! Just when you think you know it all, there’s another hidden gem to discover! Urbino looks so warm and inviting and how incredible to study abroad there! I am guessing you studied art history? (If I could do a university redo I would totally want to study that, or even just for fun). Thank you for joining us Laura! ?
I studied Spanish & Italian so while I was there I could basically choose anything I wanted to as long as the lectures were in Italian 🙂 It’s even more beautiful in the snow! x
The studiolo in the Palazzo Ducale is my favourite room in Italy!! I didn’t know of the oratorio though, can I read your dissertation before visiting!?
Sorry I don’t have it any more it’s on an old floppy disk somewhere and the printed copy is still at my University but probably destroyed by now as at was done in 2003! X
Wow, that fortress is beautiful! Urbino looks like a real hidden gem!
It really is, such a wonderful place x
I would love to visit Urbino someday! The dessert you described sounds amazing.