Palazzo del Collegio Raffaello, Renaissance palace in Piazza della Repubblica, Urbino, Italy
The Palazzo del Collegio Raffaello is a Renaissance building on Piazza della Repubblica with a rectangular courtyard, ground floor arcades, and two levels of window openings. The symmetrical layout and clear architectural organization make it a striking example of Renaissance design in the city center.
Pope Clement XI commissioned the building in the early 18th century as a school run by the Piarist Fathers. The order shaped its educational mission until the 19th century.
The palace now houses various city institutions and serves as an important hub for administration and education in Urbino. It combines its original role as a school center with modern civic functions that shape the city's daily operations.
The building can be viewed from the outside since it faces the main city square and is easy to locate. Interior spaces have limited public access, but the architecture and courtyard can be appreciated from the piazza itself.
Hidden on the roof sits a small observatory tower designed by Father Alessandro Serpieri for astronomical observations. This overlooked structure was the site of scientific work and reveals the building's educational ambition extending beyond the classroom.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
