Between the valley of the Metauro and the Foglia Valley, stands Urbino, rich in art and history, surrounded by a long wall of brick and adorned with sandstone buildings. Known as the “cradle of the Renaissance”, the Roman name Urvinum derives from the Latin urvus (the handle of the plow). However, it was in the fifteenth century that the city experienced its greatest splendor. In particular, under the dominion of Federico II of Montefeltro, the Duke of Urbino, it acquired monumental and artistic excellence that influenced all the rest of Europe. The best exponents of Italian humanistic culture, including Piero della Francesca, Leon Battista Alberti and the father of Raphael, Giovanni Santi, attracted in the duchy where they left important evidence. Walking through the city you will be fascinated by Renaissance buildings such as the former Monastery of Santa Chiara, the church of San Domenico, the Mausoleum of the Dukes in the Church of San Bernardino, Boghi Palace and the famous Doge’s Palace, one of the most interesting architectural and artistic examples of whole Italian Renaissance, today houses the National Gallery of the Marches. A visit to the gallery is a must if you want to admire some absolute masterpieces of art history as the “Flagellation of Christ” and the “Madonna of Senigallia” by Piero della Francesca, and the sublime “Muta” by Raphael. Breathtaking is also the view that lying between two hills and made of roofs and churches, gives an unique emotion.