Urbino, the Marché District, Northern Italy

Urbino - The University Town

The once great city of Urbino remains a cornerstone of the Marché in north eastern Italy. Still important in its own right as a center of learning, its significant past is preserved in the history of those imposing ancient buildings which guard the footpaths. The palaces of Urbino are dignified and impressive. Their grey stone walls create a fortified frontage to the streets. They are buildings which express power rather than exuberance and demand respect rather than delight.

Urbino - like many of the great Italian walled cities - was planned to repel invaders and to be defended and defensible. The centuries provide a chronicle of many attacks, - some successfully resisted and some succumbed to. It is the history built into these stern walls which is recognised in Urbino’s status as a World Heritage Site.


From early in the twentieth century Urbino began to grow as a centre of learning, and today it is still known chiefly as a university town. The quiet streets in the early morning attest to its seasonal student population. With an emphasis on study and learning even to this day, the large historic buildings have been able to be put to good use and preserved. Glimpses of modern facilities within historic walls can be seen from the streets. The occasional cafe or picturesque craft shop also spills out from a palazzo here and there to add a splash of life and colour to what could otherwise be a stern streetscape.

Close to Urbino is the Fortress Sassocorvaro  -  an almost windowless castle with high rounded protective walls. The Fortress earned its fame as L’Arca del Arte - the Arc of Art. It is here that many of Italy’s great works of art were secreted during the Second World War, to protect and save them from the desecration of the Nazi war machine as it swept through Italy during the later stages of the war. Up to 10,000 works of art were saved in this way, including works by Bellini and Raphael.

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Dozza - Town of Art in Italy

The Town of Living Walls

When you step into Dozza you step into a village of art. As unique as any village you might hope to see, this is a small commune which has singled itself out from its surroundings by inviting in artists not just from Italy but from foreign shores as well.  Every two years internationally recognized artists come to Dozza, and let loose their artistic creativity on the walls of the houses which line the handful of streets. The art of Dozza fills the town walls with colour and vibrance. The villagers revel in their point of difference and the visitors come from far afield to view the walls of Dozza.













Dozza is not just known for its murals and its wall art. It is also renowned for a particularly handsome and well preserved fortress. This fortress with its sturdy circular tower cannot help but dominate the landscape due to its sheer size, compared to the humble village houses surrounding it.  However even though the fortress might be substantial it is not overbearing, and the warm gold of its walls blends comfortably with the surrounding countryside and village. Five centuries of age have left scarcely a mark. Within the fortress in the cellars, the wines of the Emilia Romagna region are sold in a well-stocked wine bar where more than 800 wines can be sampled and enjoyed.

During the Festival of the Painted Wall visitors flock to Dozza to view the artists at work as they labour over their latest additions to the streetscape. Each festival adds another layer of colourful facades. At present there are around 100 pieces to view.

The festival provides an opportunity for artists to freely express themselves, as well as providing an identity and point of pride for a small Italian village. The liberal nature of the festival gives free rein to the artist, imposing no specific theme or subject on those who come. Hence the great diversity in style on the walls of Dozza, where around every corner a new canvas can be viewed in this unique outdoor gallery.

www.unusualstays.com ( A New Zealand chronicle of unique and unusual places to stay)
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