Pesaro is a special city with many places of artistic interest. These include the main square, Palazzo del Popolo, surrounded by grand buildings like the Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace) from which Giudobaldo II della Rovere looked out during his enlightened reign of the city; the extraordinary Biblioteca Oliveriana (Oliveriana Library) and the stunning building in which this is housed, the Civic Museums, Casa Rossini, the mosaics in the Cathedral, the modern and well-stocked Biblioteca San Giovanni (Library of San Giovanni) with its clean, airy rooms and green setting, and many other places that tell of the important past of Pesaro the origins of which date back to the Roman Imperial era, evident in the many archaeological sites of Colombarone and Novilara.

But most of all, Pesaro brings to mind the famous composer Gioacchino Rossini and his beautiful music, celebrated on the occasion of the annual Rossini Opera Festival which brings together many acclaimed singers and artists from around the world. Another internationally acclaimed festival is the Mostra Internationazionale del Nuovo Cinema (International New Cinema Festival), a film festival representing various countries and unknown authors; held at the end of June each year, it draws crowds of experts and enthusiasts and highly acclaimed directors of the calibre of Marco Mueller, the current director of the Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia (Venice International Film Festival). The architecture of the buildings tells of the importance of Pesaro during the Middle Ages when the city was ruled by a branch of the Malatesta family, and of the glory that ensued during the Renaissance when, with the expansion of the Dukedom of Urbino in 1523, the capital of the Dukedom was transferred from Urbino to Pesaro.

Pesaro is also a city rich in artisan traditions including the skilful crafting of brier-root and ceramics, and a place where there is much to see and do.  For those who love cycling, visit the Pesaro tourism portal (www.turismopesaro.it) to find useful information on routes and tips on exploring the city.

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