It is built on two hills which are connected by 4 principal roads and most of it is still surrounded by solid walls and sturdy gates.

Carlo Bo describes what you should expect and for once this is no exaggeration: 'have you ever been to Urbino? If you continue to answer no to this question you should start to feel guilty because you are missing a whole dimension of Italian civilization. Not only as far as its artistic heritage is concerned but also and above all for its very aspect, for its air and for the extraordinary beauty of the land. Urbino is an enchanted landscape'.

The centre of the town is dominated by the Duomo and the Palazzo Ducale and separated by Piazza Duca Federico the ideal place for a coffee.

The Palace has housed since 1912 the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche and a host of the most significant masterpieces from the 14th to the 17th centuries.

Look out for the works of such artists as Raffaello, Piero della Francesca and Tisiano or Titian to me and you. To name one; the Città Ideale by Piero dell Francesca.

The Palace was built in the 16th century and was planned to represent a ideal city. There are 250 rooms which at one time were filled with paintings.

The Dome was built at the same time although what we see today dates from 1789 as the original collapsed during an earthquake.

Do not overlook the smaller churches inside and outside the city walls. Called oratories, many were closed for years to the general public.

They now offer a glimpse of the secret heritage of the 'Fraternities' which played such a part in people's lives over the centuries and the recovery of preservation of classical learning during the dark ages.

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