Pesaro 20/03/2024 – on the Adriatic coast
We arrived by train from Rimini (via bus from San Marino), dragged our bags to Hotel Perticari with room overlooking the Adriatic Sea – just the view Ken wanted to see…
Unexpectedly, we discovered that the Rossini Museum closed at 1pm and so we hurriedly walked there. We found a brilliant display about his life, meetings with Popes and kings, other composers (Beethoven & Liszt), his creation of a Theatre in Paris, his different wives, lovers, political turmoils, as well as a prolific writer of 39 operas: we saw brilliant excerpts from The Barber of Seville video and others… He died in 1868 (no children) and left his estate to his home town of Pesaro.
Later, at the Museo Civico, Pesaro, we discovered an excellent painting by Giovanni Bellini (1435-1516) and a very good portrait by Rubens (1577-1640). As the sun set, we enjoyed a lovely walk along the beach and I also sketched a scene along a canal.
Urbino 22/03/2024
The bus was crowded and we were glad to arrive in the ancient city of Urbino, birth place of painter Rafaelo Sanzio. Upon arrival at Piazza de la Republica, we walked along narrow streets to the Casa Natale de Rafaelo Sanzio (1483-1520). In the wooden-beamed living room, were displayed paintings by his Dad, Santi, who was his first tutor. Copies of famous Rafael paintings on his bedroom wall, including a touching Madonna & Child in delicate profile, a sleeping baby on black/dark robe.
We then walked to Oratorio Guiseppe – the oldest nativity scene on frescoes but damaged by humidity – by Frederick Bondini…
Later in the day we decided to enjoy the glorious sunset, outside town, along high walls and with fine views of rolling hills. Here we saw an impressive monument to Rafael Sanzio (1483-1520) with paint brush in hand, palette in the other by Luigi Bello. Urbino’s narrow, medieval streets emanated an intimate feeling.
Palazzo Ducale – Galleria National della Marche: impressive building with many large rooms, halls, bedrooms, wardrobes of the Dukes of Montefeltro – where we spent many hours and were mightily impressed…
