Time to revisit Urbino

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In 2014, Liz and Anna were cycling from Pesaro to Urbino, then to Gubbio and finishing at Assisi, only to arrive at Urbino towards darkness, unable to find the accommodation and led astray by the 'trusty' Tom Tom. After much drama they were rescued by a wonderful, kind Italian who looked after the bikes and drove them to the B and B which turned out to be another 25km away! oh Lordy! Therefore, this trip included a revisit to the historic, hill top, university town they did not get to see at all and to put to bed some bad memories! Alora! Success.

This town is built almost entirely from bricks, apart from the paving, the cathedral interior (which was almost entirely marble) and facades of important buildings. There was very little stone to be seen today although the city is very old and one of the most famous hill top, fortified cities in Italy. Thousands of photos of streets, doors and other amazing features were taken, but we will take pity on you and only include a few.

There were newbie students attending an open day today and the city was buzzing with enthusiasm and excitement. What a beautiful, clean, safe city in which to study. as is the norm now in these old cities, parking us for residents only and huge fines are imposed for those who dare to venture into these Zona traffico limitato: translated as foreigners pay us some money please. We get the impression that tourism is seen as the salvation of Italy's financial troubles as everything has quite expensive entrance fees and parking is by ticket only in most tourist areas. ?not that Australia is much better.

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Photos

Urbino from the fort built inside the city walls
The last bastion if the city was breached

Another aspect
Note the beautiful hills that liz and Anna rode through

City wall
All the way Round and very high

City street
Reminiscent of many other towns but brick no stone

Layers
All the cities are built on hilltops so the streets and buildings layer down, up and around

Fountain
We waited for the polizia to move from in front to take our photo - don't try to hurry Italian police they seem to have much power!

Palazzo
One of a few all now owned by the government aka the people

Palazzo 2
Imagine living in these

Orretorio
Anyone for a song?

Collonade
The students walked this way to classes - reminds us of Melbourne university

Stone seat
Now this is an idea for Michaels metal garden seats

Marble floor tiles
An amazing effect on all the floors inside the cathedral

Cathedral splendour
Three parallel sections all built of magnificent marble, statues, painted domed armed - such a beautiful sight

Painted roof
Gold edged and paintings by Italian masters

Another streetscape
Where the normal people live and lots of student housing

Comments

[Liz H]

Ah sweet memories
Hi Anna for some reason There is no option to comment on your next entry, but so glad you made it back to Urbino and got to see and explore the old city. That was a stressful day for us, how nice that you can relax this time around. Xx

[Michanna]

Relaxing
Hi liz yes indeed and lovely to hear from you xx

[Luca]

FYK
just to let you know: nobody cannot enter into the city centre (Zona Traffico Limitato) apart from residents of the city centre itself, disabled or temporary pass. That is every citizen of Urbino, and not just foreigners, who does not dwell in the city centre has to pay if he/she want to park in the numerous pay parkings.

[Michanna]

urbino residents
Thank you for this clarification Luca: we thought that might have been the case