SHARRYLAND
Where is
What it is and where it is
Just a stone's throw from Urbino, the placid waters of the Metauro River envelop the ancient village of Urbania in an embrace, giving it an intimate and collected atmosphere. Although not large in size, the town is dotted with a considerable number of churches, historic buildings and museums. Cultural life here is particularly vibrant: literary prizes, art workshops and folk festivals are organized. It should be mentioned that since the 500s Urbania has been known for the production of majolica.
Why it is special
Urbania is also known as Little Bologna: four steps through the streets of the center and you will understand why. The heart of the village is Piazza San Cristoforo. From here branch off the main streets along which marvels follow one another: Church of Santa Chiara, Church of San Francesco, Palazzo Ducale, to name a few. Long rows of arcades (famous in the capital of Emilia) will accompany you, offering margins of shade on sunny days and gentle shelter in case of rain. What to say. Enjoy your walk!
Don't miss
After visiting Urbania, a picnic or a walk in the Barco Ducale park is a must. A little more than a kilometer from the city center, in the direction of Sant'Angelo in Vado, here is a peaceful place, full of natural and artistic charms. Once the hunting estate of the Dukes of Urbino, you can still admire the large villa built by Francesco di Giorgio Martini and the 18th-century church. A stretch of river about a mile long connects the site to the Ducal Palace.
A bit of history
The history of Urbania is told by the symbols in the coat of arms. During the Middle Ages the town was named Castel delle Ripe, where the Guelph party symbolized by the lily militated. It then took the name Casteldurante in 1284 when Monsignor Guillaume Durand had it rebuilt. In 1636, the town was renamed Urbania, in honor of Cardinal Maffeo Barberini, better known as Pope Urban VIII. The keys are symbolic of the papacy, while the bees indicate the industriousness of the Barberini family.
Trivia
The legend I am about to tell has to do with the making of the porticoes of Urbania. Monsignor Durand entrusted the task to Bolognese architects who took the measurements of the porticoes of Bologna using some reeds. Walking back the fatigue was such that the men leaned on the rods, wearing them out considerably. This is why Urbania is a Bologna in miniature!
Ducal Barco
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