The Duke's Palace can be admired from afar. It is the landmark of this town and a pretty sight too. To reach it, it takes some climbing in the steep streets of Urbino. It's a pleasant walk: Urbino is a university town, which gives it a lively atmosphere. There are plenty of cheap eateries in any case!

So I arrived at the Duke's Palace and found it partly hidden under a covering. A sign said that reconstruction would finish in April 2009. Had I come in vain then? I almost retraced my steps, when I noticed a small sign pointing to an alternative entrance. The guard on the lookout took me straight through the museum and delivered me to the ticket window. So for 4 EUR, I was to see it all anyway.

The palace is huge, and every room has ornamented doors and fireplaces. The building now serves as the National Gallery. This museum must be an art student's dream. Room after room of valuable paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries. And statues and tapestries too.

I gave it about an hour and also sped through the megalomanic Duomo next door.