Why You Should Visit Urbino in Le Marche

Years ago when I read abut the town of Urbino in Le Marche, I had an itching to visit. I wanted to see the hill top town ASAP because to me it looked right out of a history book! And that is probably one of the greatest reasons why you should visit Urbino in Le Marche.

Why Should You Visit Urbino in Le Marche

A great vantage point!

Outside Palazzo Ducale

1. It’s a Beautiful Hill Top Town

Don’t we all love Italian towns on hills?? Urbino is another perfectly preserved hill top town that you should add to your list. It is situated in the lesser Italian region called Le Marche and is absolutely beautiful! The drive towards Urbino is very surreal and no picture can do justice. I vividly recall the turn of the hill and gasping when I saw Urbino.

It almost seems unreal that a place like Urbino even exists.

The Drive to Urbino

The drive to Urbino

The Stillness of Winter

2. You’ll be Away from the Crowds

One of the most important things to remember is that Urbino is a popular student town. The 16th century University of Urbino is a popular place of study in Italy. This Renaissance town is almost devoid of foreign travelers compared to its counterparts. You will find student crowd more, from across the globe coming to Urbino to study Literature, Languages, Law, Economics etc. 

Barely any tourists but a very youthful vibe!

Books, books, books!

An almost empty piazza

#OnlyInItaly

Didn’t I say it was empty??

3. It’s a Place of Historical Importance

Urbino is the home town of Raphael-the famous Italian artist and architect. Raphael’s home in Urbino is now a museum and houses important works of art. 

Urbino is also widely known because of the National Gallery of Le Marche in Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace). A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, the Ducal Palace includes the most famous Renaissance paintings in the world!

The “Ideal City” attributed to Piero della Francesca is also in the Ducal Palace.

Palazzo Ducale

Of Old School Atmosphere and Medieval Wells

View from Ducale

4. You’ll Love Getting Lost in the Streets

The steeply made town of Urbino is nothing short of romantic as you find yourself navigating it’s narrow streets. Urbino has no modern buildings, so it’s porticoes and alleys give that old vibe that will completely charm you! 

Where the Jews lived

There’s no one here

5. It houses the Oratory of Saint John the Baptist

Another reason why you should visit Urbino is to see the wondrous 14th century Oratory of Saint John the Baptist. This chapel depicts Saint John’s life in late Gothic style. The frescoes here are grandly depicted by brothers Lorenzo and Jacopo Salimbeni. What is commendable that even now, after 600 years, they seem so life like!

Scenic Oratory View

Late Gothic depiction of Crucifixion

The Life of Saint John

How to Reach:

Urbino is 36kms from Pesaro and can be reached by bus. Regular trains run from all major cities of Italy (Check Trenitalia for train options and here for Winter schedule) If you are looking to fly, Ancona and Rimini are the closest airports.

Although there are no dearth of hill top towns in Italy because of the diverse nature of the country, I highly recommend visiting Urbino! This beautiful walled town of Urbino is worth exploring.

Urbino is a page out a medieval fairy tale….A dreamy Winter destination.

Further Reading:

• Italian vocabulary related to skin care
• Amalfi Must Do: Pasticceria Sal De Riso
• How to visit the Amalfi Coast from Salerno
• Arrivederci Montalbano- thoughts on Riccardino
• Basilica di Superga with the moon- una meraviglia

10 Charming Towns in Italy

5 Beautiful Towns beyond Cinque Terre

Are you enticed to visit Urbino?? Let me know in the comments!

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