The route map

 

From the Riviera of hills to Urbino and the inland areas

 

Discover the Riviera of hills to Urbino and the inland areas

 
After visiting all the delights of Urbino, before moving on to the coast do not miss the chance to visit Urbania and its Ducal Palace, the ancient Casteldurante of Majolica ceramics fame, manufactured by the local master majolica makers who, favoured by the Della Rovere court, originated the “Istoriato” genre (painted with stories).
On arriving at the Adriatic Sea coast, the first city we come to is Pesaro. We are in the woodworking and furniture-making district of Pesaro-Urbino, which witnessed a boom especially in the kitchen-making industry during the 1970s. Set beside the sea, Pesaro is a Blue Flag seaside with a lot to offer tourists. Sandy beaches extend along 7 kilometres with a mixture of concession-based and free areas, there are over 100 hotel and guest houses, some of which are open all year round, comprised of accommodation by the sea, in the town and hills, agritourism centres, camp sites and rented apartments. Along the coast there is also the 12 kilometre Pesaro-to-Fano section of the Adriatic Cycle path, the cycle track that runs along the Adriatic coast. Do not miss a visit to the Monte San Bartolo regional park, located between Gabicce Mare and Pesaro which offers some stupendous natural landscapes. A 15 minute drive south of Pesaro brings us to Fano which, as well as being a popular Blue Flag seaside resort, is famous for its Carnevale, the oldest in Italy. Its beaches are divided into the Lido and Sassonia, both with shallow waters: the former is sandy while the latter has shingle. Fano is an important fishing port and sailing tourists can count on the facilities of the leisure port called the Marina dei Cesari. 

Returning back inland, the city of Acqualagna should not be missed, where every year at the end of October/beginning of November the National White Truffle Fair is held, establishing this town as the privileged meeting place for promoting and selling this much prized tuber on a national and international scale. A few kilometres from Acqualagna lies the Gola del Furlo State Nature Reserve, an authentic paradise, crossed by the Candigliano river which winds its way through the mighty rock walls of the gorge, where the picturesque landscape combines with a rich variety of flora and fauna. Worthy of note is the Roman tunnel excavated at the orders of the Emperor Vespasian between 76 and 77 A.D. at the narrowest point in the gorge.
At a half-hour drive from Acqualagna lies the municipality of Pergola, the former home of the 14th century convent of San Giacomo and the Museum of the Gilt Bronzes of Pergola. The Gilt Bronzes are exhibited here in the museum, the only surviving gilt bronze equestrian group (originally comprising at least two knights, two horses and two women on foot). Leaving behind Pergola we reach the splendid complex of the Camaldolese Monastery of Fonte Avellana, cited in Dante’s Divine Comedy (Paradise, canto XXI, verses 106-111). Today it is still possible to see the cloisters, the church and crypt, the Chapterhouse, the splendid scriptorium, the cells of the monks, the guest house and the library, noble and austere quarters that are huddled together around the massive bell tower. The prestigious “Dante Alighieri” library, with over 10,000 volumes that include illuminated manuscripts and ancient holy books, together with the numerous events put on by the Camaldolese monks, ensure that still today the monastery plays an important spiritual role. The monastery in addition offers accommodation throughout the year to individuals and groups who wish to join in prayers and the experience of finding God, Lectio Divina meetings, personal retreat and life contemplation days.
 
 
 

From the Riviera of hills to Urbino and the inland areas

 

Attractions along the route

Discover the attraction of Pesaro - Teatro Rossini (Rossini Theatre)

Pesaro - Teatro Rossini (Rossini Theatre)

The Teatro Rossini was inaugurated as the ‘Teatro del Sole’ (Theatre of the Sun) in 1637, during the pontificate of Urban VIII, who granted the old...

Discover the attraction of Pesaro - Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

Pesaro - Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

The cathedral is along Via Rossini. The first early Christian cathedral of Pesaro dated back to the 5th century and it was within the perimeter of the ancient...

Discover the attraction of Fano - Cathedral of The Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Fano - Cathedral of The Assumption of the Virgin Mary

The Cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption, stands on Via Arco di Augusto. It was rebuilt in 1140 after a fire had destroyed the earlier building. Its...

 
Discover the attraction of Natural Park of Monte San Bartolo

Natural Park of Monte San Bartolo

The Natural Park of Monte San Bartolo covers an area of 1600 hectares of protected land; it was established in 1994; the towns included in the park are Pesaro...

Discover the attraction of Serra Sant'Abbondio - Monastery of Fonte Avellana

Serra Sant'Abbondio - Monastery of Fonte Avellana

The Monastery of Fonte Avellana is situated on the wooded slopes of Mount Catria (1701 m.) at 700 meters above sea level in Serra...

Discover the attraction of Marina Pesaro

Marina Pesaro

The new marina of Pesaro, recently renovated, lies to the east of the existing one. The restoration works will allow the widening of the mouth of the harbor up...

 
Discover the attraction of Marina dei Cesari - Fano

Marina dei Cesari - Fano

"Marina dei Cesari" has a total capacity of 450 boats and is located within the port of Fano, just north of the new dock. It's a just a short walk from the...

Discover the attraction of Pergola - Palazzolo Chapel

Pergola - Palazzolo Chapel

The Palazzolo Chapel is located in the Oratory of the Ascension. The capel hosts a series of important frescoes recognized by critics as “one of the...

Discover the attraction of Pesaro - Villa Imperiale

Pesaro - Villa Imperiale

Villa Imperiale is one of the most interesting examples of Mannerist architecture in Italy. The foundation stone was laid in 1468 by the Emperor Frederick III...

 
Discover the attraction of Furlo Gorge Nature Reserve

Furlo Gorge Nature Reserve

Furlo Gorge Nature Reserve covers an area of 3.626,94 hectares of protected land. It was established in 2004. The towns included in the reserve are:...

Discover the attraction of Pesaro and Gioachino Rossini

Pesaro and Gioachino Rossini

Gioachino Rossini (born in Pesaro on 29 February 1792; died in Passy on 13 November 1868) was an Italian composer. He was the most famous composer of operas in...

Discover the attraction of Fano - Hermitage of Monte Giove

Fano - Hermitage of Monte Giove

The Hermitage of Monte Giove rise up on a top of hill of the same name (223 m.), about two miles from Fano city centre; it was built in the first...

 
Discover the attraction of Pergola -The Museum of the Gilts Bronzes

Pergola -The Museum of the Gilts Bronzes

The only set of Ancient Roman gilts bronzes kept in the world. The set represents a family group, two women in mantles and veils and two men in high rank...

Discover the attraction of Urbania - Ducal Palace

Urbania - Ducal Palace

In Urbania, there was a fortified complex (fortress-residence) built by the Brancaleone family and located along the Metano River. After throwing away the...

Discover the attraction of Serra Sant'Abbondio:  Library of the hermitage Fonte Avellana

Serra Sant'Abbondio: Library of the hermitage Fonte Avellana

The library of the hermitage Fonte Avellana is one of the oldest ones as it was founded in the year 980 together with the monastery itself, which also includes...

 
 
 
 

Locations along the route

 
 

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