SENIGALLIA
Historical town center

Roveresca Fortress The building of this fortress began in 1480 according to a design by Baccio Pontelli, probably based on a previous one by Laurana. It is a beautiful example of Renaissance military architecture with its square plan and rounded corner towers. The building incorporates a tower erected by Albornoz in the mid-14th century on the remains of pre-existing Roman fortifications, two sections of which can be seen in the courtyard, one dating back to the Republican and the other to the Imperial period.

Open in summer from 9am to lpm and from 3pm to 10pm, Sunday 9am- lpm. Open in winter from 9am to lpm and from 3pm to 7pm, Sunday 9pm to lpm, Monday closed. Tel. 071/63258

Palazzo del Duca The Duke's Palace stands in front of the Roveresca Fortress and was built by Guidobaldo della Rovere, Duke of Urbino in the mid-16th century, The Ducal coat-of- arms appears on the coffered ceiling on the first floor. The decoration of this ceiling is attributed to the famous Marches painter, Taddeo Zuccari.The facade, whose original design has undergone numerous alterations, incorporates a beautiful portal in white stone. At present, the building is a private residence. Piazza del Duca fountain Commissioned by Francesco Maria II della Rovere to mark the completion of the first aqueduct of the modem age, it was built by the Venetian stonemason, Stefano di Tommaso and opened in 1602. The fountain, in pink Verona marble, with volutes and ornaments in stone, is decorated with four bronze ducks symbolizing the drainage work of the marshy areas south of the town ordered by the Duke.

Palazzetto Baviera Simple and harmonious in design, this building is of medieval origin. It was readapted to Renaissance tastes in the late-l5th century by Giangiacomo Baviera, captain of Giovanni della Rovere. Of considerable interest are the stucco ceilings on the upper floor. These are the work of Urbino artist Federico Brandani,who completed them between 1560 and 1575 with holy and secular scenes: 01d Testament, Labours of Hercules, Trojan War, Republican and Imperial Rome. Open in summer from 9amto 12 noon and from 5pm to 7pm, holidays closed. Open in winter from 9am to 12 noon, holidays closed. Tel.071/6629266

Foro Annonario Of neoclassic design, the Forum was built between 1830 and 1831 by the Senigallia architect, Pietro Ghinelli. Over the years, it has retained its original function as a market and finishing element to the porticos stretching out along the Misa canal. Ercolani Porticos and "Antonelliana" Town Library Built of white Istrian stone and dedicated to Cardinal Giuseppe Ercolani, who directed extension works, the porticos were erected in the mid-17th century to facilitate the movement of people and goods from and to the "Fiera della Maddalena". Under the portico next to the Foro Annonario stands the "Antonelliana" Town Library, established in 1767 with a grant from Cardinal Antonelli, Today the library houses over 50,000 books. Opening hours: 8.30am 12.30pm and 3.00pm 7.OOpm. Weekends and holidays closed. Tel. 071/65217 Church of the Croce Rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century by the Confraternity of the Croce e Sacramento, the interior of the church is richly decorated, with a beautiful coffered ceiling, Over the main altar hangs a precious picture of the "Deposition" by Federico Barocci painted between 1579 and 1582. Municipal Building The building as it stands today was erected in the early- 17th century by Urbino architect, Muzio Oddi, in the service of Duke Francesco Maria II della Rovere, Fountain of Neptune Built at the same time as the Municipal Building and located to the right of the entrance arch, this statue, now without its arms, represents the god Neptune and, so some say, is of Roman origin,

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