Urbino

Click on them to view a larger image of the photos.

Urbino is a picturesque Renaissance hill town (Pop approx. 17,000) built on two hills connected by 4 principal roads and most of it is still surrounded by solid walls and sturdy gates. It is the capital of the Marche region of central Italy. Although Urbino was a Roman and medieval city, its peak came during the 15th century when Duke Federico da Montefeltro established one of Europe's most illustrious courts. Its impressive Ducal Palace houses one of the most important collections of Renaissance paintings in Italy.

Urbino is very impressive. Situated in the rolling hills it is a symbol of the Italian Renaissance and, some say, a lot more attractive and interesting than Florence. The town has preserved itself virtually as it was at the time of its most famous son, Raffaello.

Urbino's huge Ducal Palace, Palazzo Ducale, is one of the most impressive (and also the first) in Italy. The Ducal Palace was built in the second half of the fifteenth century. Perhaps the most impressive areas are the Courtyard of Honor, the Duke's study with stunning trompe l'oeil inlaid woodwork panels as well as the vast array of art on the walls throughout. It's easy to spend several hours wandering through the palace and two musuems, the Marche National Gallery (Galleria Nazionale delle Marche), which has one of the most important collections of Renaissance paintings in the world, and the Archaeological Museum.

We did spend several hours exploring the extensive building and assembled art which is displayed throughout the palace. The Duke's study with inlaid wood panels is exquisite, with three dimensional panels portraying various aspects of his many interests. Also, near his study is a room honoring one of the Greek gods (I have forgotten which one).

Legend has it that the Duke was more than a benevolent "governor" of the people of Urbino and surrounding area, including the town of Gubbio in what is now Umbria (and our next stop). He apparently used his wealth, not only to build this magnificent enormous palace (once a functioning household we learned) but to establish for the people universal education and health care.

The accompanying photos, with the exception of a beautiful view, are virtually all of the Ducal Palace. The first collection is the view of the palace from the street below plus a view of the surrounding area from the palace. The second set is in the beautiful Courtyard of Honor and one photo from inside the palace (photos were not allowed inside - one or two of our group were actually scolded for taking some).

Rich

Todi

Click on any of the photo collages to see a larger version.

Todi (pop 17,000) has been here for millenia, established by Umbrian tribes around 2700 BC, then inhabited by the Etruscans followed in the 2nd century BC by the Romans.
We spent a full day here visiting three churches, the Roman underground cisterns and the town piazza bordered by the Palazzo Popolo, the Palazzo del Capitano and the Museum.
The highlight for me here was an elegant church just outside the walls of the town - Tempio di Santa Maria della Consolazione. It was designed in 1508 and completed about 100 years later - said to have been a potential model for St. Peter’s in Rome. It is considered by some to one of the top Renaissance architectural masterpieces, and it I can certainly see why. It’s footprint is like a Greek cross - nave and transept of equal length - so the major dome is in the center. It is one of the geometrically “perfect” architectural structures of the early Renaissance period in this part of what is now Italy. This a beautiful building both inside and out. Unfortunately, no photos were allowed inside. You can see a photo of the interior of this church at the following site Tempio di Santa Maria della Consolazione
The legend has it that the location for the church was being considered by the decision makers at an outdoor meal (picnic) when an eagle swooped down, picked up the "tablecloth" and dropped it nearby. This was seen as a sign from higher powers that the church should be located there, and so it was. This legend is preserved in sculptures of the eagle and the cloth high on the facade of the church, as shown in the first set of photos.
The second set of photos show a view from Todi and buildings around the piazza including the Palazzo Popolo with its unusual trapazoidal shaped tower, the Museum, the Cathedral and a surface access to the Cisterna Romana, an extensive water storage system which lies under the town. Hilltowns like Todi required large and sophisticated water catchment and storage areas as there was little or no water accessible from these hills. Water storage was essential at all times but especially during battle sieges when venturing outside the walls was dangerous.
The next two sets of photos include both outside and inside of Tempio di San Fortunado and the Cathedral. The former has extensive exquisite sculptures around the main entrance - some are beautiful, some grotesque and others humorous - note the small human figure nestled into the base of one of spiral carvings (bottom of the page). This cathedral is otherwise rather plain from the outside, but quite beautiful inside as the next set of photos show. At the bottom left of the 4th set of photos is one of the inside of the Cathedral on the edge of the Piazza. The photo is small but shows the striking rather plain inside of this cathedral compared to the inside of the Tempio di San Fortunado.

Assisi

Assisi, the home of St. Francis (San Francesco). I have made some notes on Assisi in a September posting when we were still in Italy. I will try not to repeat the text but there will be a bit of repetition of photos.

The first two collages are collections of photos of the Basilica di San Francesco and the Basilica di Santa Chiara (St. Clare), a spiritual contemporary of St. Francis, who founded the Order of the Poor Ladies, apparently now know as the Poor Clares. Some of the photos in these were used in the September postings on Assisi.

The third collage is an attempt to show the Rocca Maggiore, the massive 14th century fortress (now apparently being converted to an art gallery) perched high above the city, as well as a couple of "scenic views" and a couple of street scenes. One finds our friend, Jean, resting in the foreground.

The next collage contains what I think is a beautiful view from the city, some street scenes and a photo of Ruth standing in the doorway of our hotel, the Hotel Umbra.

Finally, and I hope there is server space for this, a collage of the 13th century Romanesque Duoma di San Rufino which contains the remains of St. Rufinus an early bishop of Assisi martyred in the 3rd century. The photos include some closeups of the wonderfully unusual sculpted figures which adorn the front of this church, the third church containing the remains of the Saint to be constructed on this site. If you look closely in the centre at the top you will see a inset from the sculpture from above the main entry with a rather odd depiction of Mary, apparently sitting to the right of the "King", breast feeding her infant.

St Francis and St. Clare and many of their "disciples" were baptized in this church and St. Clare realized her "calling" when she heard St. Francis speaking here.

For more information on this cathedral click here
Rich