Ducal Palace of Pesaro – a jewel of the Italian Renaissance

History and description

Considered one of the most important monuments of the city, the Ducal Palace of Pesaro is a Renaissance building originally commissioned by the Malatesta family in the 15th century. It later passed into the hands of Alessandro Sforza in the mid‑1400s and was finally completed by the Dukes of Urbino, the Montefeltro, who transformed it into a Renaissance residence. Externally, the palace features a façade with a portico of six arches supported by pillars, a Gothic‑style arch, large windows, and corner towers. Inside, visitors can admire numerous rooms, such as the waiting hall decorated with works by Federico Brandani, grand halls adorned with arabesques, and small chambers embellished with polychrome stuccoes. Today, in addition to housing the Prefecture, the building is also home to the Civic Museum, which preserves masterpieces by Giovanni Bellini and Titian.

Curiosities

Within the palace are rooms once reserved for the duchesses, including those of Vittoria della Rovere, which contain a small private chapel and a painted pergola.

Access

Open to the public every day except Friday, with varying hours, the palace and museum can be visited with an admission ticket of €7, with free entry and specific reductions available.

How to reach it

Located in the historic center of Pesaro, in Piazza del Popolo, the palace can be reached by car via the A14 motorway (with public parking available upon arrival), by train, or by bus, from which the city center is easily accessible on foot.

A perfectly preserved example of a ducal residence, the Ducal Palace of Pesaro offers visitors a unique experience that blends art, history, and architectural beauty.

Photo credits: Italtrucker (Wikipedia) - Licensed by public domain