Just a few miles southwest, a river on its unrelenting journey from the mountains to the sea has carved a deep ravine through the hills at Gola del Furlo.
| Pesaro - Urbino Province |
|
Turn away from
the coast and follow the Metauro river valley to Fossombrone,
established in the 10th century on the site of a former
Roman town. The Malatesta family dominated here too and
provided it with strong fortification, but sold their
rights to Federico da Montefeltro in 1444 and under his
humanist family and descendents, the town climbed to the
pinnacle of its prosperity. There were several Ducal
Palaces one of which, Corte Alta at the top of the town,
is reached by wide steps and now houses a museum of
relics from pre - history to the Reinassance. Just a few miles southwest, a river on its unrelenting journey from the mountains to the sea has carved a deep ravine through the hills at Gola del Furlo. |
| Widened by the Romans to take their road, it is a breathtaking sight surrounded by a large nature reserve. Beyond the gorge lies the town of Acqualagna, famous for the traditional quest and cultivation of the prized white truffle. Truffles are also found in the foothills of the mountains in Sant'Agata Feltria and Sant'Angelo in Vado. Famous for its traditional production of majolica, the medieval walled town of Urbania, named after Pope Urbano VIII in 1636, also contains a Ducal Palace. |
| Built
originally in 1200 for the Brancaleoni family, it was
later restored by Francesco di Giorgio Martini for
Federico da Montefeltro di Urbino. The fabulous Ducal Library now contains many superb drawings as well as engravings by Durer and Rubens. Maps, manuscripts, majolica ware and paintings can be found in the museum whilst religious architecture throught the centuries is reflected in the various churches and oratories within the town. The ceramic museums shows how refined was the work of the craftsmen of ancient Casteldurante, the name by which the town was known many centuries ago. Famous for its spiritual peace, in apparently complete isolation from the outside world, near Mount Catria, is the Eremo di Fonte Avellana. |
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