<strong>Time capsule:</strong> Urbino sits in a landscape that has barely changed since the 15th century.
Time capsule: Urbino sits in a landscape that has barely changed since the 15th century.
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<strong>First approach: </strong>The Palazzo Ducale is visible for miles around.
First approach: The Palazzo Ducale is visible for miles around.
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<strong>Trapped in time: </strong>Unesco has remarked on Urbino's extraordinary preservation of its heritage.
Trapped in time: Unesco has remarked on Urbino's extraordinary preservation of its heritage.
Oliver Petschner/Adobe Stock
<strong>Location location: </strong>Being set across two hills, the city has barely expanded over the centuries.
Location location: Being set across two hills, the city has barely expanded over the centuries.
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<strong>Roller coaster: </strong>The <em>piole </em>are steep streets with step-like blocks to make ascending and descending safer.
Roller coaster: The piole are steep streets with step-like blocks to make ascending and descending safer.
Marche Tourism
<strong>Hill country: </strong>The city is surrounded by green hills which haven't changed in centuries.
Hill country: The city is surrounded by green hills which haven't changed in centuries.
Ivano De Santis/Alamy
<strong>Time travel: </strong>The streets are as they were when the likes of Raphael were walking them.
Time travel: The streets are as they were when the likes of Raphael were walking them.
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<strong>Easy on the eye: </strong>The castle was built to be prettier than other castles.
Easy on the eye: The castle was built to be prettier than other castles.
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<strong>Teenage dreams:</strong> Raphael was born in Urbino. This fresco in his birthplace is thought to have been painted by the teen painter.
Teenage dreams: Raphael was born in Urbino. This fresco in his birthplace is thought to have been painted by the teen painter.
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<strong>Local lad:</strong> The house where Raphael grew up is now open for visits.
Local lad: The house where Raphael grew up is now open for visits.
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<strong>High stakes: </strong>Federico's <em>studiolo</em> was inlaid entirely in wood, a beautiful piece of propaganda.
High stakes: Federico's studiolo was inlaid entirely in wood, a beautiful piece of propaganda.
Roberto Serra/Iguana Press/Getty Images
<strong>Art attack:</strong> Today, his ducal palace hosts a major art gallery.
Art attack: Today, his ducal palace hosts a major art gallery.
Roberto Serra/Iguana Press/Getty Images
<strong>Renaissance beauty: </strong>The "Madonna di Senigallia" by Piero della Francesca, commissioned by Federico and still housed in his palace.
Renaissance beauty: The "Madonna di Senigallia" by Piero della Francesca, commissioned by Federico and still housed in his palace.
Mondadori Portfolio/Hulton Fine Art Collection/Getty Images
<strong>Timewarp town: </strong>Urbino hasn't changed since its Renaissance heyday.
Timewarp town: Urbino hasn't changed since its Renaissance heyday.
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<strong>Groundbreaking: </strong>The Palazzo Ducale housed Italy's first public library on the ground floor.
Groundbreaking: The Palazzo Ducale housed Italy's first public library on the ground floor.
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<strong>Major assets: </strong>Nearby town Urbania sits on the Metauro river, visible in Piero della Francesca's painting of Federico.
Major assets: Nearby town Urbania sits on the Metauro river, visible in Piero della Francesca's painting of Federico.
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<strong>Country retreat: </strong>Federico would go hunting at this lodge in Urbania.
Country retreat: Federico would go hunting at this lodge in Urbania.
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