Palazzo Ducale Pesaro
A Renaissance gem in Pesaro's heart, Palazzo Ducale offers a glimpse into ducal history with its grand facade and storied interiors.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Experience special events
Palazzo Ducale Pesaro
Best Time
Experience special events
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A Renaissance gem in Pesaro's heart, Palazzo Ducale offers a glimpse into ducal history with its grand facade and storied interiors.
"The palace is a key landmark, offering a glimpse into the city's ducal past."
Book Guided Tours
Interior access is often via guided tours. Book in advance to see the stunning rooms and learn about history! :ticket:
Check Exhibition Schedules
Special events like Renaissance dances bring the palace to life. Check for 'La magnificenza dei Della Rovere' or similar. :performing_arts:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Salone Metaurense
Interior
Witness the grandeur of Renaissance dances and events in this magnificent hall, a testament to the Della Rovere family's legacy.
Renaissance Facade
Exterior
Admire the 15th-century Renaissance facade, featuring a portico with arches and windows reminiscent of the Ducal Palace in Urbino.
Piazza del Popolo Fountain
Piazza del Popolo
The heart of Pesaro, this square boasts a beautiful 17th-century fountain with tritons and seahorses, rebuilt after WWII.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit
Accessing the Interior
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Guided Tours
Interior access is often via guided tours. Book in advance to see the stunning rooms and learn about history! :ticket:
Check Exhibition Schedules
Special events like Renaissance dances bring the palace to life. Check for 'La magnificenza dei Della Rovere' or similar. :performing_arts:
Explore Piazza del Popolo
The palace overlooks the main square, featuring a beautiful fountain. Great for photos and soaking in the city vibe. :camerawithflash:
Understand Office Hours
Remember it's also the Prefecture. Interior access might be limited outside of specific tour times. :office_building:
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Guided Tours
Interior access is often via guided tours. Book in advance to see the stunning rooms and learn about history! :ticket:
Check Exhibition Schedules
Special events like Renaissance dances bring the palace to life. Check for 'La magnificenza dei Della Rovere' or similar. :performing_arts:
Explore Piazza del Popolo
The palace overlooks the main square, featuring a beautiful fountain. Great for photos and soaking in the city vibe. :camerawithflash:
Understand Office Hours
Remember it's also the Prefecture. Interior access might be limited outside of specific tour times. :office_building:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors appreciate Palazzo Ducale Pesaro for its historical significance and impressive Renaissance facade, especially when viewed from the vibrant Piazza del Popolo. While interior access is often limited to guided tours due to its function as the Prefecture, those who manage to explore inside find the rooms and historical context rewarding. The palace is a key landmark in Pesaro, offering a glimpse into the city's ducal past.
"The palace is located in the city's main square. It occupies a vast block, with a façade built by Alessandro Sforza in the mid-15th century. Today, it houses the Prefecture offices."
Diego Gava
"I'm used to visiting the Palazzo Ducale in Pesaro for work, currently the seat of the Prefecture. During the exhibition "The Della Rovere Family in Pesaro: From the Signoria to the Duchy," I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Palace. The visit, in addition to confirming the beauty of some of its rooms, revealed its "hidden secrets," hidden in some rooms, which are not always accessible. I highly recommend a visit, both to tourists and locals of Pesaro, to gain a deeper understanding of their city and its origins. 🔝"
Monica Pascucci
"The Ducal Palace, an imposing building constructed in the 15th century, is crowned with battlements and features a portico with pillars supporting six arches. The façade has Renaissance lines; its five festooned windows reminded me of those that marked the main floor of the Ducal Palace in Urbino. Today, the building houses the Prefecture offices. It is located in Piazza del Popolo, which is undoubtedly the main square in the city center, the heart of social and political life.
In the central section, you can admire the beautiful fountain with tritons and seahorses, destroyed by the Germans in 1944 and faithfully rebuilt in 1960 based on the model of the 17th-century one.
On all four sides, you can admire the Post Office and the Ducal, Bavaria, and Municipal Palaces.
The Town Hall, dating back to the second half of the 20th century, has no notable architectural features. Approaching it, however, I could admire the Church dedicated to Saint Ubaldo behind it. The Post Office incorporates, to one side, the terracotta façade of the former Church of San Domenico, dating back to the 14th century and in Gothic style. It has a beautiful façade, which, however, I was unable to admire in its entirety, as scaffolding was being erected, perhaps for the preparation of a stage for a concert or other public event."
Anna Maria Polverino
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Palazzo Ducale Pesaro is centrally located in Piazza del Popolo, the main square of Pesaro. It's easily accessible on foot if you're in the city center. Public transport options include local buses that stop near the piazza. Parking can be challenging in the immediate vicinity, so consider public transport or parking a short walk away.
Information on wheelchair accessibility for the interior is limited, as much of the palace serves as administrative offices. The exterior and Piazza del Popolo are generally accessible. It's advisable to contact the Prefecture directly for specific accessibility inquiries regarding guided tours.
Pesaro is well-connected by train, with frequent services along the Adriatic coast line. The nearest major airport is Ancona (AOI), from which you can take a train or bus to Pesaro.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the exterior and Piazza del Popolo is free. For interior visits, especially to see specific rooms or during exhibitions, guided tours are often required and may have a fee. It's best to check the official website or contact the Prefecture for current tour availability and booking information. +1
As Palazzo Ducale Pesaro also houses the Prefecture offices, its public access hours may vary. Guided tours and exhibition access will have specific timings. Always verify the current schedule online or by contacting the relevant authorities before your visit.
While you can admire the facade and explore Piazza del Popolo freely, access to the interior rooms is typically restricted to guided tours. These tours offer a deeper insight into the palace's history and art.
Yes, Palazzo Ducale Pesaro occasionally hosts special events and exhibitions, such as 'La magnificenza dei Della Rovere,' which can include Renaissance dance performances. Keep an eye on local event listings and the palace's official channels for updates.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography rules can vary, especially within areas that are also administrative offices. Generally, exterior photography is permitted. For interior photography during guided tours or exhibitions, it's best to ask your guide or check signage for any restrictions.
The facade of the palace, especially with the fountain in Piazza del Popolo, offers excellent photo opportunities. The Salone Metaurense, if accessible, is also a visually stunning interior space. 
🎫 🏛️ History & Architecture
The construction of Palazzo Ducale Pesaro began in the 15th century, with significant contributions from Alessandro Sforza. It later became a residence for the Della Rovere family, Dukes of Urbino and Pesaro.
The palace showcases Renaissance architecture, particularly evident in its facade with a portico and arched windows, which bears resemblance to the Ducal Palace in Urbino.
Today, Palazzo Ducale Pesaro primarily serves as the seat of the Prefecture of Pesaro and Urbino. It also hosts cultural events and exhibitions.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Look out for special events or exhibitions that might offer more interactive elements or performances, like Renaissance dance, which can capture children's imaginations. Visiting during a time when guided tours are available might also provide a more structured and informative experience for older children interested in history.
🏛️ History Buffs
Prioritize booking a guided tour to access the interior rooms and learn about the palace's transformation from a ducal residence to its current role as the Prefecture. Researching the Della Rovere family beforehand can enhance the appreciation of the palace's historical significance and its connection to the Duchy of Urbino.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Della Rovere Legacy
Visitors can often experience this legacy through special exhibitions, such as 'La magnificenza dei Della Rovere,' which might include displays of art, historical reenactments, or even Renaissance dance performances, bringing the era back to life. These events offer a unique glimpse into the courtly life and cultural achievements of the Della Rovere dukes.
While much of the palace's original splendor, including artworks by masters like Raphael and Bronzino, was dispersed after the family's decline, the architectural grandeur and the stories of their reign remain. Exploring the palace, even its administrative sections, provides a tangible connection to this significant period in Pesaro's history.
Architectural Highlights and Piazza del Popolo
Adjacent to the palace is Piazza del Popolo, the vibrant heart of Pesaro. The piazza is dominated by a beautiful 17th-century fountain, a faithful reconstruction of the original destroyed in World War II. This fountain, with its tritons and seahorses, adds a dynamic element to the square and is a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
The surrounding buildings in Piazza del Popolo, including the Town Hall and the Post Office (which incorporates the Gothic facade of the former Church of San Domenico), create a rich historical and architectural tapestry. The interplay between the Renaissance palace, the Baroque fountain, and other historical structures makes Piazza del Popolo a captivating space to explore.
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