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Typical
example of traditional ceramics from Urbania.
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7
Where the courses take place
Urbania, the town
Coats
of arms of the "quartieri" of Urbania
Urbania
(Province of Pesaro and Urbino, the Marches region) is a typical
and attractive township, at 16 km. from
Urbino, situated between the
Adriatic sea and Tuscany. The town, known during the
Middle Ages and the Renaissance as Casteldurante, was a splendid
centre of art and culture. Donato Bramante and other important artists
were born there, among whom the illustrious masters of the XVI and
XVII century ceramics.
Because of its amenity and salubrity it was chosen by the Dukes
of Urbino as a second residence ( the "Castle of delights"). It
has two ducal residences: the Ducal Palace,
where the last Duke of Urbino, Francesco Maria II della Rovere (+1631)
held his court, and the Ducal Park,
hunting residence of the Dukes.
Urbania has ancient and glorious musical traditions. Girolamo Crescentini
(1762-1846) was born there; it has an important and historical opera
house ("Bramante" Theatre),
which was inaugurated with a performance of the "Trovatore" by Verdi
in 1864, and a very modern auditorium
with 500 seats. There are two important museums: the Civic
Museum and the Picture-gallery,
with a Town library rich in
ancient works and volumes, Flemish prints, designs of the Renaissance
and the famous Merchant world maps, and the Diocesan
Museum. Also of great interest is the Cathedral
(the ancient Benedictine Abbey of S. Cristoforo del Ponte), and
numerous churches and buildings of the
Renaissance. The historical centre keeps the fascination
of the golden era of its past (XIV-XVII centuries) intact and numerous
artistic ceramic laboratories and shops
can be found in the town's streets and squares.
Urbania, however, does not just live with its glorious past. Today
it is one of the most important centres
for the production of "jeans", often visited by the best stylists.
A modern and ancient town where everyone can feel at ease. In fact
Urbania is a modern town in which you
can live in a very comfortable way. There are supermarkets
and shops of all kinds; excellent sports facilities, gymnasiums,
places for young people, restaurants, trattorias, pizza houses.
There are concerts, shows, exhibitions and entertainment of every
type, especially in the summer, during the "Summer Urbania" programme
(June-September).
With the membership card of the Centre of Italian Studies the
students are allowed discounts in shops and reduced entrance fees.
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