The Ducal Palace of Urbino was built for the marquis-turned-duke of Urbino, Federico da Montefeltro, in the second half of the 15th century. The original architect was the Florentine Maso di Bartolo, and work then continued under the Dalmatian architect Luciano Laurana, and finally, perhaps, under the Sienese architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini. It is a shining example of Italian court architecture and was the setting of Baldassare Castiglione’s famous book “The Book of the Courtier.” Today, it is home to the National Gallery of Le Marche and contains famous works of art such as Piero della Francesca’s “Flagellation” and “Madonna of Seniallia,” the “Ideal City Panel,” and the extraordinary “Studiolo” which is the world’s most important example of “intarsia,” or inlaid wood. Buona visita!