"URBANIA
LA BELLA"
In the valley rich in oak trees, Urbania - once
called Casteldurante of the Duchy of Urbino - is surrounded by the
river Metauro. Francesco Maria II della Rovere, the duke who succeeded
the Montefeltros, set up his permanent residence in Urbania due
to its tranquillity and magic. When he died here the Duchy ended.
The present name of the town dates back to 1636 in honour of Pope
Urban VIII. Previously it was called Castel delle Ripe when the
Ghibellines from Urbino destroyed it in 1277. Then Guillaume Durante
from Provence had it rebuilt in 1284 and the name became Casteldurante.
It was under this name that the town became known throughout Europe
for its pottery in the 16th century when, together with Urbino,
Pesaro and other towns in the Metauro Valley, pottery production
reached its highest level thanks to "raphaelism" and the
example of the humanist at the ducal court. In this period there
were over 40kilns working in the town and 150 potters producing
exquisite vases and plates, rich in colour and decoration.
The Montefeltro and Della Rovere dukes called Casteldurante the
"place of delights" and had a special road built that
made it possible to reach Urbania from Urbino in three hours. It
was the presence of the dukes, the pottery production and then the
See of the Bishops that enriched the town with important monuments.
A visit to the Ducal Palace is a must. This fascinating castle on
the river has an important library, a collection of engravings and
the Mercatore globes. The Church of the Dead has an unusual collection
of mummies, dating back to the 17th century which have become mummified
due to a particular mould. Then there is the Diocesan Museum with
its collection of rare ceramics and the "Barco", the dukes'
hunting lodge, connected to the Ducal Palace by river. Also not
to be forgotten are the numerous churches in the town, rich in works
of art, that can be reached by a pleasant walk through twisting
alleys, narrow streets, small squares and bridges across the Metauro
river.
Today Urbania is a thriving town which has developed according to
the typical "Marchigiano" model with clothing industries
that are well known on the international marker. The manufacturing
of the jeans has largely replaced agriculture and the old cottage
industries. There is an active Institute of Italian for foreigners,
numerous associations and schools and various exhibitions are held
throughout the year. Tourism is on the increase, both due to the
foreigners who attend the Centro Studi Italiani and the weekly pottery-holiday
courses run during the summer.
Among typical local produce you can find can be purchased directly
from the factory, truffles - an extremely rare delicacy - wrought
iron, an ostrich farm and, of course the beautiful Durantina pottery.
Local cuisine is tasty and homelike and has been influenced by the
nearby regions of Tuscany, Umbria and Romagna. You can find various
roasted meats, "porchettina" of snails and lamb together
with truffles and mushrooms, "cresce di Pasqua" (a special
easter cake), "polenta" and "crostoli sfogliati"
which are a kind of pancake made with flour, eggs and lard. A special
sweet is called "bostrengo".
Among the local traditions, here are two of the most corious: first,
"the onions", an antique and popular barometer which is
incredibly exact! Slices of onions are prepared with salt and left
outside on the night of 24-25 January (St. Paul of signs) and the
weather is forecast for the rest of the year depending on their
colour the following morning. Then there is the "punta e cul",
a popular game played at Easter with hard boiled eggs. The winner
is the person who can manage to keep his own egg intact while banging
it against those of his opponents. He then takes home all the broken
eggs!
The summer season is rich in exhibitions and concerts - another
reason for visiting the ancient Casteldurante.
(For information: Tourist office,
tel. 0722/318395:Pro loco, tel. 0722/317211)
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