Urbania: the city of Befana

Urbania — as we will show — can rightfully be considered the City of the Befana. This title, proudly borne by the small town in the province of Pesaro, owes its fame to the magnificent Epiphany Festival, a one-of-a-kind celebration that delights both young and old. But Urbania is much more than that: it is art, tradition, and history flowing through the narrow alleys of a town that truly is a jewel of Italy. On January 6th, it becomes a destination not to be missed.

InItaly tells its story for you!

The City on the Metauro River

Urbania has long been known as the city on the Metauro. The town lies in the heart of the Marchigian valley, and its historic center is uniquely surrounded on three sides by a bend of the Metauro River. To imagine Urbania without this life-giving waterway would be unthinkable. The area’s natural layout—nestled within a circle of gentle hills—offers the town both beauty and protection.

Historically known as Casteldurante, Urbania became a city and diocese in 1636, by decree of Pope Urban VIII. Despite its modest size, the town played an important role during the Middle Ages and today has just over 8,000 residents, though it attracts thousands of visitors drawn to its fascinating medieval center.

In Dialogue with Art

The historic center, of clear medieval design, is the beating heart of Urbania. It represents a perfect harmony between architectural grandeur and the slow passage of time that has shaped the city’s destiny.

The undisputed centerpiece is the Ducal Palace, one of Urbania’s main attractions. Built entirely in brick, it is one of the masterpieces commissioned by Duke Federico II da Montefeltro of Urbino.

Today, the palace houses the Municipal Library, Art Gallery, Civic Museum, Municipal Archives, and the Museum of the History of Agriculture and Handicrafts. Inside the Civic Museum, visitors can admire an impressive collection of 40,000 volumes, including a 1491 edition of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, alongside ancient and contemporary ceramics, 50 engravings by modern Marchigian artists, and paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Among the most extraordinary treasures are two globes dating to the mid-1500s—one terrestrial and one celestial—created by Gerardus Mercator, the greatest geographer and cartographer of the Renaissance.

The Church of the Dead

One of Urbania’s most intriguing sites is the Church of the Dead, home to the Cemetery of the Mummies. Inside, visitors can witness the mysterious phenomenon of natural mummification, caused by a particular type of mold that absorbed bodily fluids, drying the corpses over time. 

Each mummy has a story to tell: a young woman who died during childbirth, a man fatally stabbed during a village dance, and one tragic figure believed to have been buried alive in a state of apparent death. The Church of the Dead has gained worldwide attention and has been featured by National Geographic and in the TV show Mistero.

Opening Hours: 

• Tuesday to Friday: 10:30 – 12:00 and 15:30 – 17:00
• Saturday, Sunday, holidays, and pre-holidays: 10:30 – 12:30 and 15:30 – 17:30

Urbania: The National Befana Festival

Every January, Urbania transforms into the National Capital of the Befana. The town’s streets fill with joy, laughter, and magic during the National Befana Festival, a celebration that brings smiles to both children and adults.

Organized by Pro Loco Casteldurante in collaboration with the Municipality of Urbania, this year’s festival features a renewed format designed especially for families and young visitors—the Befana’s closest friends.

The festivities begin on January 3rd, with two days of workshops and activities preparing for the arrival of the kind old lady. From January 4th to 6th, Urbania becomes an enchanted world, with the Befana flying from the Bell Tower, performing aerial acrobatics, and showering sweets and candies upon the delighted crowd. The evenings culminate in a dazzling light show that enchants visitors of all ages.

Another highlight is “The Longest Stocking in the World”, lovingly knitted by the Befana herself. According to estimates, it already stretches over 50 meters!
 

The festival also includes a market fair, featuring crafts and traditional foods from around the world. Visitors can wander through the festive streets, tasting local specialties such as the famous crostolo, while discovering new corners and squares of this charming town.

Urbania is a place where tradition, folklore, and joy come together in a celebration that is both ancient and ever-renewed — a city that, at least once in a lifetime, everyone should experience during the Feast of the Befana.

Cover photo credits: Pro Loco Casteldurante / Comune di Urbania