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History of
Urbino (Back to
Urbino main information page)
Urbino was founded in 41 AD by the Romans who were attracted to
its healthy air and ideal climate although documentation of its
history begins only in the 3rd Century BC, when Urvinum
Mataurense received the title of Roman municipality.
The area became an important strategic stronghold in the wars of
the VI century after the invasion of the Goths in 583 and proved
to be a great advantage during the conflicts of the feudal
period, when the town allied itself with the Ghibellines.
Around 1375 Anthony of Montefeltro, one of the most outstanding
warriors and politicians of the late 14th century, entered into
the Italian politics, allying himself with Florence and Milan,
and therefore Gian Galeazzo Visconti.
When Antonio da Montefeltro repressed a revolt in Rome against
the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, he was given the title of
Count and appointed Imperial legate of Urbino in 1155.
Soon there was a reawakening of the arts and architecture, the
first step towards that unstoppable rise which would lead to the
success of his nephew, Frederick II and successor Frederick III,
which would lead to the production of significant works of art.
After Frederick II, Guy Anthony, maintained a shrewd policy of
equilibrium.
After a short lordship of Guy Anthony?s son, the court was given
to Federico III (1444-82), the illegitimate son of Guy
Anthony and the most prominent ruler and a lover of art.
Urbino became the resort of the brightest minds of the
Renaissance.
After his death 1482, the dynasty was continued by his son
Guidobaldo, still a child who retained all his father's powers.
Later, Pope Leo X deprived him of his territory, which was given
to Lorenzo de' Medici, and later to Giovanni Maria Varano, but
the following year he regained definitive ownership of the
Duchy, and several years of calm for the city and court
followed. The time was right for the artistic genius of
Raphael to flourish.
With the lack of rightful heirs, on the death of Guidobaldo
(1508) the court passed into the hands of Francis Mary I of the
Della Rovere dynasty. Although they could never equal the
splendours of the Montefeltros, the Della Roveres still
surrounded themselves with musicians, writers, and artists.
In 1523, the court decided to transfer the capital of the Duchy
to Pesaro, after which the town of Urbino began its slow
decline.
The lowest point in Urbino's history came with Napoleonic
occupation, and the suppression of churches, convents, and
monasteries, with the consequent expropriation of great works of
art (either sent to France or Milan, such as Piero della
Francesco's Madonna col Bambino e Santi, now in the Brera
Gallery).
It followed later that Urbino became part of the Italian
History.
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