We disembarked at the busy port of Ancona from where we head inland to the UNESCO city of Urbino.
The birthplace of the artist Raphael, with a historic centre that appears little changed since the 15th century when it became a centre of culture attracting artists and scholars from all over Italy.
This is the Duomo, the house where Raphael was born in 1483 and which is now a museum. He lived there until the age of 12 at which time he became an orphan and moved to Rome, already an accomplished artist. He painted the picture hanging on the wall at the age of 8, just after the death of his mother.
The impressive Palazzo Ducale, built under Federico da Montefeltro, where we found the National Gallery of Marche containing a stunning collection of Renaissance art.
Inside the palace is a painting that defines architecture and noone knows who painted it, oil on wood.
We visited the local cathedral and were told of the various paintings stolen from Ubrino of which this was one.
There were cooperative that looked after the burials of indigent people.
We enjoyed a local lunch in Urbino before returning to the MS Monet.
Pasta, sooo tasty.
Duplo expresso, so necessary after the meal.
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