2023 Thursday Nov. 9

Senigallia, Urbino, and Marina di Ravenna

No video today.

Thursday we say goodbye to Senigallia and head to Marina di Ravenna. But after a few errands in Senigallia, we make a stop in Urbino, another UNESCO recognized town.

Senigallia’s old town is decorated with colorful umbrellas above. Francesca said it is a statement disavowing violence against women, but she did not know the significance of umbrellas.
The hills around Urbino. Frederico da Montefeltro was the Duke of Urbino 1474-1482. He commissioned the construction of a great library, second in size in Italy only to the Vatican, with a team of scribes and a large humanistic court. Today his Palace is the home of an art museum.
Urbino street view.
The palace steps are deep enough for horses to easily access.
A portrait of Federico da Montefeltro with his son Guidubaldo. Federico’s eye and the bridge of his nose were injured by bullets in his early career.
The Madonna of Senigallia painted by Piero della Francesca between 1474-1478. The baby has coral beads according to the Medieval belief that the stones protect babies from evil.
Salvatore Mundi, painted by Bartolomeo della Gatta 1480-1481. The image with the hand gesture of two fingers raised is known as “Savior of the World.”
The Ideal City is a Renaissance exercise in perspective.
Santa Catarina d’Alessandria by Raffaello Sanzio, 1503. Rafael was also born in Urbino.
Holy family with St. John, Domenico Tintoretto, between 1600 and 1610.
These palace wooden doors are artistically decorated with inlaid wood, often with household scenes and realistic perspectives.
The spiral staircase within the palace was created between 1480 and 1488.
A quick lunch with crescia (bread) of the Marche region.
Urbino Oratory of St. John the Baptist. Many of the Gothic frescoes were painted by Lorenzo and Jacopo Salimbeni from San Severino Marche in the first half of the 14th century.
The Baptism of Jesus. Note the civic leaders observing from the bank.
The Madonna and Child Enthroned. The frescoes in this Oratory are so colorful and vibrant despite their age.
The Madonna di Loreto from the XVII century.
Dusk in Urbino. Note the absence of any antennae.
Dinner hosted by Carlo and Valeria in Marina di Ravenna. Thank you, Matteo, for the photography.

Comments:

Julia Holman: Such gorgeous architecture. The spiral staircase is beautiful. Looks like a wonderful visit in Marina di Rivenna! 2023/11/18 at 3:20 pm

Reply: Urbino was such a surprise, and we had a wonderful day. Of course, who can NOT have a good time with Francesca, Matteo, Valeria, and Carlo? It is sad to miss some who have gone on, but we remember them in our hearts. 2023/11/18 at 4:42 pm