PALAZZO DUCALE
Urbino
Luciano Laurana
Designed 1464
The Palazzo Ducale of
Urbino was built by Federigo
da Montrefeltro, a humanist-general who ruled his
own tiny mountain town. This distinctive palace was designed by Luciano Laurana
(1420/5-79), one of several great artists including Bramante and Raphael whom the Duke brought into
his court, transforming little Urbino into the cultural capital of central Italy. Unlike the rectangular block shape of Roman
palaces, Laurana's design is a sprawling palatial villa.
On this steep side, which overlook s the open country, Laurana
created a grand loggia
with two flanking turrets and parapets.
