Urbino’s Palazzo Ducale was the palace of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino. It was built in the 15th century and was not designed as a fortress, as was often the case, but a magnificent home. It is enormous. There are over 80 rooms, which hold exquisite art and decorations. It was the last of the scheduled visits of our day in Urbino.
The most impressive view of the palace is from the outside of the historical centre.
We entered from the other side.
The internal courtyard is huge.
One of the rooms leading off the courtyard holds a model of the palace.
The room itself is impressive, with a stunning ceiling.
We walked up the wide stairs to the first floor.
The rooms are all large and elegant. I would love to have seen them as they were in Federico’s time.
In one of the first rooms was an odd room within a room. It was especially for Federico, referred to as his alcove, created in 1459 by Bartolomeo Corradini.
The door frames in each room are beautiful, some with intricate wooden doors. There are walls of inlaid wood.
The fireplaces are gorgeous.
I would be happy with these jaunty little fellows in my fireplace…if I had one.
I love the small decorations in corners, and a couple of the Della Robbia pieces would not go astray on my walls…or the odd fresco.
The floors are lovely.
I could have stared at the ceilings for hours.
Stunning art pieces are dotted through the rooms. The Madonna and child were popular subjects for the carved, painted figures and paintings. These date from the mid 1400s.
The next 2 painted wooden sculptures are from the mid 1500s.
The painting below is considered one of art history’s masterpieces. It is not known who commissioned the work or its meaning. It is the Flagellation of Christ by Piero della Francesca dating from the mid 1400s.
The next piece was my favourite in the palace, not the big painting, but the frieze below by Paolo Uccello. It seemed alive with colour dancing across the wall.
The most famous work of art is “La Muta”, The mute, by Raffaello, painted around 1506.
On the way out I spotted another Madonna, this time in terracotta from 1500.
There is another floor above, but there is just too much to take on one visit. I think you need to devote a whole day to the palace, at least.
We walked back through this beautiful town, past a street musician, vowing to return for a longer visit.
The next morning we had intended to visit the Botanical Garden but the weather was not cooperating so we headed towards our next destination…Arezzo.
We stayed at Albergo San Domenica, which was in a perfect location in a former convent in the heart of Urbino…Piazza Rinascimento.
Phone…0722 2626