Marche / Marken

The city, known as Urbinum Mataurense, was a stronghold during the Gothic Wars in the 6th century. In 538 it was conquered by the Ostrogoths through the Byzantine general Belisarius. Pepin the Short gave Urbino to the papacy in 754.The town was later somewhat independent until about 1200 when it became the property of the House of Montefeltro. They obtained the office of Podesta in 1213, but the population rebelled and allied with the municipality of Rimini (1228), which finally regained its independence in 1234. However, the nobles of Montefeltro eventually took control again and kept it until 1508. In the battles between the Guelfs and the Ghibellines, when the factions supported either the papacy or the Holy Roman Empire, the Montefeltro lords of Urbino were the leaders of the Ghibellines in Marche in the 13th and 14th centuries. Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is better known as Raphael. He was born in Urbino in 1483. Together with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, he forms the traditional trinity of great masters of that period.

The city, known as Urbinum Mataurense, was a stronghold during the Gothic Wars in the 6th century. In 538 it was conquered by the Ostrogoths through the Byzantine general Belisarius. Pepin the Short gave Urbino to the papacy in 754.The town was later somewhat independent until about 1200 when it became the property of the House of Montefeltro. They obtained the office of Podesta in 1213, but the population rebelled and allied with the municipality of Rimini (1228), which finally regained its independence in 1234. However, the nobles of Montefeltro eventually took control again and kept it until 1508. In the battles between the Guelfs and the Ghibellines, when the factions supported either the papacy or the Holy Roman Empire, the Montefeltro lords of Urbino were the leaders of the Ghibellines in Marche in the 13th and 14th centuries. Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is better known as Raphael. He was born in Urbino in 1483. This almost completely preserved Renaissance city acquired essential parts of its current appearance in the 15th century, under the rule of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, who wanted to build an "ideal city" with Urbino.

The city, known as Urbinum Mataurense, was a stronghold during the Gothic Wars in the 6th century. In 538 it was conquered by the Ostrogoths through the Byzantine general Belisarius. Pepin the Short gave Urbino to the papacy in 754.The town was later somewhat independent until about 1200 when it became the property of the House of Montefeltro. They obtained the office of Podesta in 1213, but the population rebelled and allied with the municipality of Rimini (1228), which finally regained its independence in 1234. However, the nobles of Montefeltro eventually took control again and kept it until 1508. In the battles between the Guelfs and the Ghibellines, when the factions supported either the papacy or the Holy Roman Empire, the Montefeltro lords of Urbino were the leaders of the Ghibellines in Marche in the 13th and 14th centuries. This almost completely preserved Renaissance city acquired essential parts of its current appearance in the 15th century, under the rule of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, who wanted to build an "ideal city" with Urbino. The first cathedral on this site was built around 1021, replacing another that stood outside the city walls. Under the patronage of Count Federico da Montefeltro, reconstruction took place in the 15th century to a design by Francesco di Giorgio Martini. After damage from the 1781 earthquake, the dome collapsed in 1789 after another strong earthquake and had to be rebuilt. This project was completed in 1801. The reconstruction was carried out in the neoclassical style.

The city, once known as Urbinum Mataurense, was a stronghold during the Gothic Wars in the 6th century. In 538 it was conquered by the Ostrogoths through the Byzantine general Belisarius. Pepin the Short gave Urbino to the papacy in 754.The town was later somewhat independent until about 1200 when it became the property of the House of Montefeltro. They obtained the office of Podesta in 1213, but the population rebelled and allied with the municipality of Rimini (1228), which finally regained its independence in 1234. However, the nobles of Montefeltro eventually took control again and kept it until 1508. In the battles between the Guelfs and the Ghibellines, when the factions supported either the papacy or the Holy Roman Empire, the Montefeltro lords of Urbino were the leaders of the Ghibellines in Marche in the 13th and 14th centuries. This almost completely preserved Renaissance city acquired essential parts of its current appearance in the 15th century, under the rule of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, who wanted to build an "ideal city" with Urbino. The first cathedral on this site was built around 1021, replacing another that stood outside the city walls. Under the patronage of Count Federico da Montefeltro, reconstruction took place in the 15th century to a design by Francesco di Giorgio Martini. After damage from the 1781 earthquake, the dome collapsed in 1789 after another strong earthquake and had to be rebuilt. This project was completed in 1801. The reconstruction was carried out in the neoclassical style.

The city, once known as Urbinum Mataurense, was a stronghold during the Gothic Wars in the 6th century. In 538 it was conquered by the Ostrogoths through the Byzantine general Belisarius. Pepin the Short gave Urbino to the papacy in 754.The town was later somewhat independent until about 1200 when it became the property of the House of Montefeltro. They obtained the office of Podesta in 1213, but the population rebelled and allied with the municipality of Rimini (1228), which finally regained its independence in 1234. However, the nobles of Montefeltro eventually took control again and kept it until 1508. In the battles between the Guelfs and the Ghibellines, when the factions supported either the papacy or the Holy Roman Empire, the Montefeltro lords of Urbino were the leaders of the Ghibellines in Marche in the 13th and 14th centuries. This almost completely preserved Renaissance city acquired essential parts of its current appearance in the 15th century, under the rule of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, who wanted to build an "ideal city" with Urbino. The first cathedral on this site was built around 1021, replacing another that stood outside the city walls. Under the patronage of Count Federico da Montefeltro, reconstruction took place in the 15th century to a design by Francesco di Giorgio Martini. After damage from the 1781 earthquake, the dome collapsed in 1789 after another strong earthquake and had to be rebuilt. This project was completed in 1801. The reconstruction was carried out in the neoclassical style.

The city, once known as Urbinum Mataurense, was a stronghold during the Gothic Wars in the 6th century. In 538 it was conquered by the Ostrogoths through the Byzantine general Belisarius. Pepin the Short gave Urbino to the papacy in 754.The town was later somewhat independent until about 1200 when it became the property of the House of Montefeltro. They obtained the office of Podesta in 1213, but the population rebelled and allied with the municipality of Rimini (1228), which finally regained its independence in 1234. However, the nobles of Montefeltro eventually took control again and kept it until 1508. In the battles between the Guelfs and the Ghibellines, when the factions supported either the papacy or the Holy Roman Empire, the Montefeltro lords of Urbino were the leaders of the Ghibellines in Marche in the 13th and 14th centuries. This almost completely preserved Renaissance city acquired essential parts of its current appearance in the 15th century, under the rule of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, who wanted to build an "ideal city" with Urbino. The first cathedral on this site was built around 1021, replacing another that stood outside the city walls. Under the patronage of Count Federico da Montefeltro, reconstruction took place in the 15th century to a design by Francesco di Giorgio Martini. After damage from the 1781 earthquake, the dome collapsed in 1789 after another strong earthquake and had to be rebuilt. This project was completed in 1801. The reconstruction was carried out in the neoclassical style. The dome

The city, once known as Urbinum Mataurense, was a stronghold during the Gothic Wars in the 6th century. In 538 it was conquered by the Ostrogoths through the Byzantine general Belisarius. Pepin the Short gave Urbino to the papacy in 754.The town was later somewhat independent until about 1200 when it became the property of the House of Montefeltro. They obtained the office of Podesta in 1213, but the population rebelled and allied with the municipality of Rimini (1228), which finally regained its independence in 1234. However, the nobles of Montefeltro eventually took control again and kept it until 1508. In the battles between the Guelfs and the Ghibellines, when the factions supported either the papacy or the Holy Roman Empire, the Montefeltro lords of Urbino were the leaders of the Ghibellines in Marche in the 13th and 14th centuries. This almost completely preserved Renaissance city acquired essential parts of its current appearance in the 15th century, under the rule of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, who wanted to build an "ideal city" with Urbino. Edicola Cartoleria is "il Chiosco" (the Kiosk)

The city, once known as Urbinum Mataurense, was a stronghold during the Gothic Wars in the 6th century. In 538 it was conquered by the Ostrogoths through the Byzantine general Belisarius. Pepin the Short gave Urbino to the papacy in 754.The town was later somewhat independent until about 1200 when it became the property of the House of Montefeltro. They obtained the office of Podesta in 1213, but the population rebelled and allied with the municipality of Rimini (1228), which finally regained its independence in 1234. However, the nobles of Montefeltro eventually took control again and kept it until 1508. In the battles between the Guelfs and the Ghibellines, when the factions supported either the papacy or the Holy Roman Empire, the Montefeltro lords of Urbino were the leaders of the Ghibellines in Marche in the 13th and 14th centuries. This almost completely preserved Renaissance city acquired essential parts of its current appearance in the 15th century, under the rule of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, who wanted to build an "ideal city" with Urbino. Caffetteria Flli Boni

The city, once known as Urbinum Mataurense, was a stronghold during the Gothic Wars in the 6th century. In 538 it was conquered by the Ostrogoths through the Byzantine general Belisarius. Pepin the Short gave Urbino to the papacy in 754.The town was later somewhat independent until about 1200 when it became the property of the House of Montefeltro. They obtained the office of Podesta in 1213, but the population rebelled and allied with the municipality of Rimini (1228), which finally regained its independence in 1234. However, the nobles of Montefeltro eventually took control again and kept it until 1508. In the battles between the Guelfs and the Ghibellines, when the factions supported either the papacy or the Holy Roman Empire, the Montefeltro lords of Urbino were the leaders of the Ghibellines in Marche in the 13th and 14th centuries. This almost completely preserved Renaissance city acquired essential parts of its current appearance in the 15th century, under the rule of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, who wanted to build an "ideal city" with Urbino. San Bernardino is a Franciscan church located on a hill about 2,5 km outside Urbino. The church was built between 1482 and 1491 by order of Federico da Montefeltro as a ducal mausoleum. The execution of the work is today attributed to the architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini, who was assisted by the young and promising Donato Bramante. The building has an architectural clarity typical of the Renaissance in Urbino. The church was damaged by an earthquake in 1741.

Ancona was founded in 387 BC by Greek colonists from Syracuse. Today it is a port city of about 100.000 inhabitants and the capital of the Marche region. The port has always been of great importance because it was the shortest sea connection to Dalmatia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Ancona was attacked successively by the Goths and Lombards between the 3rd and 5th centuries but recovered its strength and importance. It was one of the cities of the Pentapolis of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 840, Saracen raiders sacked and burned the city. After 1000, Ancona became increasingly independent, eventually turning into a maritime republic, often clashing against the nearby power of Venice. In the 12th century, it was strong enough to push back the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. Its ships took part in the Crusades. In the struggle between the Popes and the Holy Roman Emperors Ancona sided with the Guelphs. The Malatesta, took the city in 1348. They were ousted in 1383. In 1532 Ancona definitively lost its freedom and became part of the Papal States.

Ancona was founded in 387 BC by Greek colonists from Syracuse. Today it is a port city of about 100.000 inhabitants and the capital of the Marche region. The port has always been of great importance because it was the shortest sea connection to Dalmatia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Ancona was attacked successively by the Goths and Lombards between the 3rd and 5th centuries but recovered its strength and importance. It was one of the cities of the Pentapolis of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 840, Saracen raiders sacked and burned the city. After 1000, Ancona became increasingly independent, eventually turning into a maritime republic, often clashing against the nearby power of Venice. In the 12th century, it was strong enough to push back the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. Its ships took part in the Crusades. In the struggle between the Popes and the Holy Roman Emperors Ancona sided with the Guelphs. The Malatesta, took the city in 1348. They were ousted in 1383. In 1532 Ancona definitively lost its freedom and became part of the Papal States. - The Duomo (here seen at sunrise) stands on the site of the former acropolis of the Greek city, the Guasco hill which overlooks Ancona and its gulf. In Greek and Roman times there was a temple of Venus here. In the 6th century, a Palaeo-Christian church was built. This building, destroyed by the Saracens in 840, was dedicated to San Lorenzo, but after reconstruction was dedicated to St. Judas Cyriacus. In 995–1015, a new church was built, which kept the original walls. In 1017 the basilica received the relics of Saint Marcellinus of Ancona and Saint Cyriacus. Further enlargement works occurred between the late 12th and the early 13th centuries, with the addition of a transept to obtain a Greek cross plan, and an entrance towards the southwest, resulting in the church now facing the port and the new road entering the city. The cathedral represents an excellent example of Romanesque art, mixed with Byzantine and Gothic elements.

Ancona was founded in 387 BC by Greek colonists from Syracuse. Today it is a port city of about 100.000 inhabitants and the capital of the Marche region. The port has always been of great importance because it was the shortest sea connection to Dalmatia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Ancona was attacked successively by the Goths and Lombards between the 3rd and 5th centuries but recovered its strength and importance. It was one of the cities of the Pentapolis of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 840, Saracen raiders sacked and burned the city. After 1000, Ancona became increasingly independent, eventually turning into a maritime republic, often clashing against the nearby power of Venice. In the 12th century, it was strong enough to push back the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. Its ships took part in the Crusades. In the struggle between the Popes and the Holy Roman Emperors Ancona sided with the Guelphs. The Malatesta, took the city in 1348. They were ousted in 1383. In 1532 Ancona definitively lost its freedom and became part of the Papal States. - The Duomo stands on the site of the former acropolis of the Greek city, the Guasco hill which overlooks Ancona and its gulf. In Greek and Roman times there was a temple of Venus here. In the 6th century, a Palaeo-Christian church was built. This building, destroyed by the Saracens in 840, was dedicated to San Lorenzo, but after reconstruction was dedicated to St. Judas Cyriacus. In 995–1015, a new church was built, which kept the original walls. In 1017 the basilica received the relics of Saint Marcellinus of Ancona and Saint Cyriacus. Further enlargement works occurred between the late 12th and the early 13th centuries, with the addition of a transept to obtain a Greek cross plan, and an entrance towards the southwest, resulting in the church now facing the port and the new road entering the city. The cathedral represents an excellent example of Romanesque art, mixed with Byzantine and Gothic elements.

Ancona was founded in 387 BC by Greek colonists from Syracuse. Today it is a port city of about 100.000 inhabitants and the capital of the Marche region. The port has always been of great importance because it was the shortest sea connection to Dalmatia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Ancona was attacked successively by the Goths and Lombards between the 3rd and 5th centuries but recovered its strength and importance. It was one of the cities of the Pentapolis of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 840, Saracen raiders sacked and burned the city. After 1000, Ancona became increasingly independent, eventually turning into a maritime republic, often clashing against the nearby power of Venice. In the 12th century, it was strong enough to push back the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. Its ships took part in the Crusades. In the struggle between the Popes and the Holy Roman Emperors Ancona sided with the Guelphs. The Malatesta, took the city in 1348. They were ousted in 1383. In 1532 Ancona definitively lost its freedom and became part of the Papal States. - The Duomo stands on the site of the former acropolis of the Greek city, the Guasco hill which overlooks Ancona and its gulf. In Greek and Roman times there was a temple of Venus here. In the 6th century, a Palaeo-Christian church was built. This building, destroyed by the Saracens in 840, was dedicated to San Lorenzo, but after reconstruction was dedicated to St. Judas Cyriacus. In 995–1015, a new church was built, which kept the original walls. In 1017 the basilica received the relics of Saint Marcellinus of Ancona and Saint Cyriacus. Further enlargement works occurred between the late 12th and the early 13th centuries, with the addition of a transept to obtain a Greek cross plan, and an entrance towards the southwest, resulting in the church now facing the port and the new road entering the city. The cathedral represents an excellent example of Romanesque art, mixed with Byzantine and Gothic elements.

Ancona was founded in 387 BC by Greek colonists from Syracuse. Today it is a port city of about 100.000 inhabitants and the capital of the Marche region. The port has always been of great importance because it was the shortest sea connection to Dalmatia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Ancona was attacked successively by the Goths and Lombards between the 3rd and 5th centuries but recovered its strength and importance. It was one of the cities of the Pentapolis of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 840, Saracen raiders sacked and burned the city. After 1000, Ancona became increasingly independent, eventually turning into a maritime republic, often clashing against the nearby power of Venice. In the 12th century, it was strong enough to push back the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. Its ships took part in the Crusades. In the struggle between the Popes and the Holy Roman Emperors Ancona sided with the Guelphs. The Malatesta, took the city in 1348. They were ousted in 1383. In 1532 Ancona definitively lost its freedom and became part of the Papal States. - The Duomo stands on the site of the former acropolis of the Greek city, the Guasco hill which overlooks Ancona and its gulf. In Greek and Roman times there was a temple of Venus here. In the 6th century, a Palaeo-Christian church was built. This building, destroyed by the Saracens in 840, was dedicated to San Lorenzo, but after reconstruction was dedicated to St. Judas Cyriacus. In 995–1015, a new church was built, which kept the original walls. In 1017 the basilica received the relics of Saint Marcellinus of Ancona and Saint Cyriacus. Further enlargement works occurred between the late 12th and the early 13th centuries, with the addition of a transept to obtain a Greek cross plan, and an entrance towards the southwest, resulting in the church now facing the port and the new road entering the city. The cathedral represents an excellent example of Romanesque art, mixed with Byzantine and Gothic elements.

Ancona was founded in 387 BC by Greek colonists from Syracuse. Today it is a port city of about 100.000 inhabitants and the capital of the Marche region. The port has always been of great importance because it was the shortest sea connection to Dalmatia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Ancona was attacked successively by the Goths and Lombards between the 3rd and 5th centuries but recovered its strength and importance. It was one of the cities of the Pentapolis of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 840, Saracen raiders sacked and burned the city. After 1000, Ancona became increasingly independent, eventually turning into a maritime republic, often clashing against the nearby power of Venice. In the 12th century, it was strong enough to push back the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. Its ships took part in the Crusades. In the struggle between the Popes and the Holy Roman Emperors Ancona sided with the Guelphs. The Malatesta, took the city in 1348. They were ousted in 1383. In 1532 Ancona definitively lost its freedom and became part of the Papal States. - The Duomo stands on the site of the former acropolis of the Greek city, the Guasco hill which overlooks Ancona and its gulf. In Greek and Roman times there was a temple of Venus here. In the 6th century, a Palaeo-Christian church was built. This building, destroyed by the Saracens in 840, was dedicated to San Lorenzo, but after reconstruction was dedicated to St. Judas Cyriacus. In 995–1015, a new church was built, which kept the original walls. In 1017 the basilica received the relics of Saint Marcellinus of Ancona and Saint Cyriacus. Further enlargement works occurred between the late 12th and the early 13th centuries, with the addition of a transept to obtain a Greek cross plan, and an entrance towards the southwest, resulting in the church now facing the port and the new road entering the city. The cathedral represents an excellent example of Romanesque art, mixed with Byzantine and Gothic elements. Under the roofs of the cathedral are dozens of animals. Among them elephants, very similar to those in Puglia (e.g. Trani, Bari...). They have tiny ears.

Ancona was founded in 387 BC by Greek colonists from Syracuse. Today it is a port city of about 100.000 inhabitants and the capital of the Marche region. The port has always been of great importance because it was the shortest sea connection to Dalmatia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Ancona was attacked successively by the Goths and Lombards between the 3rd and 5th centuries but recovered its strength and importance. It was one of the cities of the Pentapolis of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 840, Saracen raiders sacked and burned the city. After 1000, Ancona became increasingly independent, eventually turning into a maritime republic, often clashing against the nearby power of Venice. In the 12th century, it was strong enough to push back the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. Its ships took part in the Crusades. In the struggle between the Popes and the Holy Roman Emperors Ancona sided with the Guelphs. The Malatesta, took the city in 1348. They were ousted in 1383. In 1532 Ancona definitively lost its freedom and became part of the Papal States. - Here used to be the Roman Forum in ancient times. The Palazzo del Senato was built in the early 13th century as the seat of the Senate Council, when the municipality ceded its old seat (the current Palace of the Archbishop) to the noble Cortesi family to settle in the new and larger building. The building, in Romanesque style, has a white stone façade opened by two rows of mullioned windows decorated with columns and covered with round cornices. On the right side of the front there is also a high and narrow arch. The bombings that took place during WWII severely damaged the interior of this medieval building. Fortunately, its facade remained intact.

Ancona was founded in 387 BC by Greek colonists from Syracuse. Today it is a port city of about 100.000 inhabitants and the capital of the Marche region. The port has always been of great importance because it was the shortest sea connection to Dalmatia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Ancona was attacked successively by the Goths and Lombards between the 3rd and 5th centuries but recovered its strength and importance. It was one of the cities of the Pentapolis of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 840, Saracen raiders sacked and burned the city. After 1000, Ancona became increasingly independent, eventually turning into a maritime republic, often clashing against the nearby power of Venice. In the 12th century, it was strong enough to push back the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. Its ships took part in the Crusades. In the struggle between the Popes and the Holy Roman Emperors Ancona sided with the Guelphs. The Malatesta, took the city in 1348. They were ousted in 1383. In 1532 Ancona definitively lost its freedom and became part of the Papal States. - Santa Maria della Piazza was originally called Santa Maria del Canneto, because it is located in a marshy area near the port. Later it was called Santa Maria del Mercato, because the market was held in the square in front of it. It was erected between the 11th and 12th centuries. Before its construction, the site was home to two small Palaeo-Christian churches, dating to the 6th and 7th centuries. The building has a rectangular plan, with a nave and two aisles. The lower part of the façade has numerous blind arches and, in the middle a probably Byzantine statue of the Virgin Mary. The upper part of the facade collapsed in 1690 due to an earthquake and was subsequently rebuilt in bricks and closed with a large rectangular window. The master of the façade (1210) was "Master Filippo", as testified by an inscription, while the arched portal is attributed to "Master Leonardo". The upper part of the facade collapsed in 1690 due to an earthquake and was subsequently rebuilt in bricks and closed with a large rectangular window.

Ancona was founded in 387 BC by Greek colonists from Syracuse. Today it is a port city of about 100.000 inhabitants and the capital of the Marche region. The port has always been of great importance because it was the shortest sea connection to Dalmatia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Ancona was attacked successively by the Goths and Lombards between the 3rd and 5th centuries but recovered its strength and importance. It was one of the cities of the Pentapolis of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 840, Saracen raiders sacked and burned the city. After 1000, Ancona became increasingly independent, eventually turning into a maritime republic, often clashing against the nearby power of Venice. In the 12th century, it was strong enough to push back the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. Its ships took part in the Crusades. In the struggle between the Popes and the Holy Roman Emperors Ancona sided with the Guelphs. The Malatesta, took the city in 1348. They were ousted in 1383. In 1532 Ancona definitively lost its freedom and became part of the Papal States. - Santa Maria della Piazza was originally called Santa Maria del Canneto, because it is located in a marshy area near the port. Later it was called Santa Maria del Mercato, because the market was held in the square in front of it. It was erected between the 11th and 12th centuries. Before its construction, the site was home to two small Palaeo-Christian churches, dating to the 6th and 7th centuries. The building has a rectangular plan, with a nave and two aisles. The lower part of the façade has numerous blind arches and, in the middle a probably Byzantine statue of the Virgin Mary. The upper part of the facade collapsed in 1690 due to an earthquake and was subsequently rebuilt in bricks and closed with a large rectangular window. The master of the façade (1210) was "Master Filippo", as testified by an inscription, while the arched portal is attributed to "Master Leonardo". The upper part of the facade collapsed in 1690 due to an earthquake and was subsequently rebuilt in bricks and closed with a large rectangular window. The portal