Rooftops in the walled city of Urbino, Italy

© Andrea Pucci/Getty Images

Rooftops in the walled city of Urbino, Italy

When most people think of Italian Renaissance cities, the walled city of Urbino probably doesn’t come to mind. That’s a shame, as this destination in central Italy was named a World Heritage Site for its rich Renaissance legacy. The city saw its peak in the 15th century, under the rule of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, who was nicknamed the ‘Light of Italy.’ His former palace is now home to a remarkable collection of Renaissance art, including works by Raphael, who was born here in 1483.