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| ITINERARI - SAN LEO |
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Historical notes |
| A sharp rock surrounded by perpendicular cliffs, the landscape descending gradually from the Appennines to the sea; old houses superimposed between a magnificent castle and an eyefilling bell tower; a weaving of history and legend, the sacred and the profane, between horrible prisons and quiet parishes: all this is San Leo. Sacred high grounds to the gods, Saint Leo arrived here in the 3rd Century, and he chose it as the ideal place to spread Christianity in the surrounding area (later it became the diocese of Montefeltro, the ancient name of the city). |
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In times of wars between the GOTI and the Byzantines, the LONGOBARDI and the Franks, San Leo saw its fame grow as an unconquerable fortress. In 963, Berengario II nominated it the capital of the Italic Kingdom, and for many months the small but strong town resisted the siege of Ottone I, Emperor of Germany. Around 1200, the Counts of Montefeltro’s reign began here and, after they had become Dukes of Urbino, they contributed a lot to the development of Renaissance culture. Meanwhile, the fortress gains in size and beauty, especially thanks to the genius of Francesco of Giorgio Martino, military architect of the Dukes of Urbino. Bembo defines it as a “wonderful war tool”, but the political and military glory ends in 1631 when, with the ducal family of Urbino family now extinct, the territory passes to the Pontifical State. The fortress, its military function no longer useful, became a prison. |
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What to see |
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| Upper
Gate (1870) Trincera Tower (XVI c.) Madonna di Loreto Church (XVII c.) Rovere Palace (XVII-XVIII c.) Nardini Palace - Oratorio di S. Francesco (XIII c.) Dante Alighieri Square Neoclassic Fountain (1893) Olmo della Predica di S. Francesco (1213) Medici’s Palace (XVI c.) Town Museums - Sacred Art Museum Pre-Romanic Parish (IX c.) Cathedral (XII c.) Civic Tower (XII c.) Prehistoric arA sACRIFICALE Panoramic Route |
Valsanto
Park |
| How to get there From
Rimini, National Road 258 to Pietracuta and then
directions to San Leo. Useful number Tourist
Office at Medici’s Palace Tel. 0541-916306 |
Museums
Opening Hours: |
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