Palazzo Ducale, Renaissance palace in Urbino, Italy
Palazzo Ducale is a Renaissance palace in Urbino built on two hills with distinctive twin towers and an arcaded inner courtyard. The building combines military elements with civic spaces and now houses the National Gallery of the Marche.
The palace was commissioned by Federico III of Montefeltro starting in 1472 and designed by Luciano Laurana to create a center of Renaissance culture. Its construction shaped the development of Renaissance architecture throughout Italy.
The palace draws visitors primarily for the art collection displayed within its ornate rooms. Here you can see works by major artists like Piero della Francesca and Raphael that shaped the Renaissance.
The palace is located in central Urbino and is easily reached on foot, though it is built on a hill. It is best visited during the day when exhibitions are fully accessible and lighting reveals details in the artworks.
The most famous room is the Studiolo with its elaborate wooden inlay work that creates optical illusions and depicts scientific instruments. These artfully decorated panels show books and musical scores and were designed to reflect the interests of its original owner.
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