Galleria nazionale delle Marche
State museum in the Palazzo Ducale of Urbino, the Renaissance residence of Federico da Montefeltro, with paintings, prints and ceramics.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Galleria Nazionale delle Marche is housed in the Palazzo Ducale of Urbino, built by Federico da Montefeltro, who came to power in 1444 and turned the city into one of the centres of the Italian Renaissance. The architect Luciano Laurana contributed to the enlargement of the palazzo; in 1474 Pope Sixtus IV conferred the title of duke on Federico, and his monogram appears throughout the building.
After Federico, the court continued under his son Guidobaldo and with Elisabetta Gonzaga. When the Montefeltro line died out, the duchy passed to the Della Rovere family and, in 1631, returned to papal control. With the marriage of Vittoria della Rovere to Ferdinando de’ Medici, the ducal collections were moved to Florence, which is why many works from Urbino are today in the Uffizi. Federico’s library of illuminated manuscripts was merged into the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana.
Today the palazzo houses the gallery with paintings, prints and ceramics, and preserves historic rooms such as the duke’s inlaid studiolo, the Sala del re d’Inghilterra with its gilded stucco ceiling, the salone delle feste and the Cortile d’Onore. The museum also runs a library, an archive, an online scientific catalogue and a virtual route called Galleria Ideale.
Highlights
- The duke’s inlaid studiolo of Federico da Montefeltro
- The Sala del re d’Inghilterra with gilded stucco ceiling
- The Cortile d’Onore
- Portraits of Federico da Montefeltro and Ottaviano Ubaldini
- Collections of paintings, prints and ceramics
- Operated by
- Ministero della Cultura
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2citizens of the European Union aged 18 to 25 (and, under certain conditions, non-EU young people of the same age) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for EU citizens with documented disabilities and for their companion. |
| Annual pass (12 months) | €30 |
| Combined ticket with the Rocca Demaniale di Gradara (valid 5 days) | €16Reduced €4. |
Free admission: First Sunday of every month
Free admission also for teachers at state schools, ICOM members, EU tourist guides and interpreters, journalists registered on the professional register, students and teachers of archaeology, art history, architecture and fine arts academies, and other categories provided for by the ministerial regulation. Tickets can be bought online via CoopCulture.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A lift serves the museum up to the second floor; toilets are on the ground floor and on the upper floors.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Bookshop open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–17:00 (closed on 25 December and 1 January). The cloakroom for bulky bags and umbrellas is not supervised.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Weddings / ceremonies
The spaces of the palazzo can host private events, concerts and weddings.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Official audio guide in four languages (audioguida.gndm.it) and 3D virtual tour (virtualtour.gndm.it). Backpacks and large bags, umbrellas, food and smoking are not allowed in the rooms; dogs are accepted only if small and in a carrier. For bookings and groups the CoopCulture service is available (tel. +39 06 3996 7996, Monday–Friday 9:00–13:00). |
