Urbino...and the Beach!

Meet Federico da Montefeltro. He is arguably the most important man in Urbino’s history and responsible for bringing the Renaissance to this hilltop town visited by CCI students.

Federico was born 589 years ago in 1422 and died when he was 60 years old. At the age of 20 he came to power and over the next 40 years built up his duchy into a major power during the Renaissance. There are two theories about how he came to power. The first is that he killed his older and tyrannical half-brother and rightful heir while the second story purports that he arrived on the scene just after his half-brother was assassinated with promises not to persecute the conspirators, to cut taxes, to provide educational and medical services and finally, to permit the people some say in the election of magistrates.

There are two stories about his eye and the pronounced shape of his nose. The first is that he lost an eye and had his nose disfigured in a tournament while the second is that this occurred as mercenary. (There is a further suggestion that the top of his nose was carved out even deeper to afford him a wider vision in his remaining eye to assist him while leading his troops in battle.) Whatever the reason, he was always painted showing his ‘good side’.

In his early years, Federico made a fortune leading a private mercenary army. Historians estimate that his annual income was equivalent to US $12 million. The influx of cash into his duchy kept taxes low and his people happy. During his reign, he was reportedly a very benevolent and accessible ruler, rare in a time of assassinations, something he knew all about.

Federico turned his attention to the arts and the pursuit of knowledge. He had a passion for architecture and was considered to be an authority on the subject in his day. The Palazzo Ducale, his home, is a reflection of his passion. He also built a large library and amassed over 2000 manuscripts which were later transported to Rome by the Pope in 1657 when he took over that area of Italy.

Federico’s legacy was that his palace was a home for the muses and to that end he attracted artists, musicians and writers. The artist, Piero della Francesca painted the Duke’s portrait as well as other paintings in particular Flagellation, which has an allegorical setting depicting the threat of the Turks to Christendom at that time.

One of the more famous writers was Baldassare Castiglione who wrote The Courtier, a classic expose of the enlightened ruler written while living in the court of Federico’s son.     



Our students had the opportunity to tour the Palazzo Ducale, Federico’s home.

Then they toured the fortified town of Urbino that surrounds it.

However attractive touring such sights may be, for teenagers, it does not compare to visiting a beach for a few hours...which is what we did!

The following photos were taken at a beach south of Ancona named Rivera di Numana.  

Here are some other scenes of school life including some students working with Mr. C. earning community service hours as well as others in a yoga class with Mrs. Irons-Murray.