Palazzo Ducale, Renaissance palace in Urbino, Italy
Palazzo Ducale is a Renaissance palace in Urbino, begun around the mid-fifteenth century for Federico da Montefeltro. Its Torricini facade, with two flanking towers and three superimposed loggias, overlooks the Valbona cliff, while the interior courtyard is ringed by a round-arched portico with Corinthian columns. Inside, a vaulted hall holds a large carved stone fireplace and tall mullioned windows. The palace now houses the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche.
Federico da Montefeltro began the palace around the mid-fifteenth century, joining two older ducal buildings through the Florentine Maso di Bartolomeo, who built the three-storey Palazzetto della Jole. From about 1464 to 1472 the Dalmatian Luciano Laurana directed the work, creating the arcaded courtyard, the Scalone d'onore and the library, and fortifying palace and city with oblique walls. Francesco di Giorgio Martini then took over in 1472, after Federico became duke.
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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