Urbino
The hub of the town is the animated triangle of Piazza della Repubblica that lies in a dip between the twin humps of a hill. From the square signs indicate the way to the Palazzo Ducale.

The well proportioned rooms of the palazzo nowadays house the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche - a remarkable collection of paintings including one of the world's greatest and most enigmatic images, Piero della Francesca's Flagellation of Christ. Other great pictures here are Piero's Madonna di Senigallia, Raphael's La Muta, the Silent One, and a famous vision of the Ideal City by an unknown hand (possibly Piero della Francesca's).

The Duke's Studiolo is the most unusual room in the palace. His tiny study is entirely decorated in exquisite trompe l'oeil inlaid woodwork panels, some based on designs by Botticelli. It is also possible to visitthe vast warren of cellars, kitchens, laundry rooms, stables and even an ice store in the sotterranei or basements.