Mondavio

38 kilometers from the Excelsior, one of the best preserved historic centers of the Marche.

Set on a gentle hill that rises between the valleys of the Metauro and Cesano rivers, with enchanting panoramic views ranging from the Apennines to the Adriatic and the splendid historic center of Mondavio is among the best preserved in the Marche.

Protected by a mighty wall and defended by a mighty fortress, it preserves the signs of a glorious past in the palaces and churches.

The fortress is the main monument and symbol of Mondavio; was commissioned by Giovanni della Rovere to the Sienese military architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini and built between 1482 and 1492. Today it is the seat of the Museum of Historical Reenactment and Armory, with mannequins in costume and weapons from the 15th to the 18th century. In the moat of the rock the park of "war machines" of Francesco di Giorgio Martini, with faithful reconstructions with real size of catapults, trebuchets, bombards and other siege machinery.

The historic centre is characterized by the presence of important monuments: the Palazzo dei Malatesta, the Church of San Francesco, the Palazzo della Comunanza and the Apollo Theater, built in the mid-eighteenth century on the remains of a fifteenth century church.