Fossombrone

It is located at 115m on the left side of Metauro, downstream on the gorge of Furlo. It is an agricultural-commercial centre (wine, green vegetables, beets, olive trees). In the past silk-growing (with silk mills) was widespread but nowadays it has almost disappeared. Industrial activities are: furniture, metal and mechanical, and cement. Dominated by the remains of the Malatesta fortress (XIV century) it has some palaces of the XV century (Staurenghi palace which is Episcopal) and of the XVI century (the town palace and Cattabeni palace, now renamed “Monte di Pietà”); the cathedral, built in XIV-XV centuries and rebuilt at the end of XVII century after a shift of axis (D.Rosselli’s altar-frontal, 1480), the XVIII century churches of St. Philip, St. August (which includes really ancient elements) and St. Francis with nice portals. On the Metauro there are the Trajan and Diocletian bridges (which have been restored) and in the XIV century court of Federico from Montefeltro (named High Court) there is the civil Vernarecci Museum. Via Flaminia passes through the ancient town for 2 km. There rise two temples: one built during the August age for an unidentified divinity and the other dedicated to Cibele. No traces but notices remain for the theatre; several epigraphs have been found, together with valuable mosaic flooring.