Gradara

Gradara
Comune
Comune di Gradara
Coat of arms
show Location of Gradara Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
Gradara Location of Gradara in Italy Gradara Gradara (Marche) Show map of ItalyShow map of MarcheShow all
Coordinates: 43°56′N 12°46′E / 43.933°N 12.767°E / 43.933; 12.767Coordinates: 43°56′N 12°46′E / 43.933°N 12.767°E / 43.933; 12.767
Country	Italy
Region	Marche
Province	Pesaro e Urbino (PU)
Frazioni	Santo Stefano, Fanano alta, Fanano Bassa, Granarola, pievecchia
Government
• Mayor	Franca Foronchi (since May 2006)
Area [1]
• Total	17 km2 (7 sq mi)
Elevation	142 m (466 ft)
Population  (December 31, 2004)[2]
• Total	3,361
• Density	200/km2 (510/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Gradaresi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	61012
Dialing code	0541
Patron saint
Saint day	third sunday of September

Gradara is a town and comune in the Province of Pesaro e Urbino (PU), in the region of Marche in central Italy. It is 6 km from Gabicce Mare and Cattolica, 25 km from Rimini, 15 km from Pesaro and 33 km from Urbino.

The ancient town is characterized by a double line of medieval walls and by the massive castle, one of the best preserved in Italy. It is famous as being the location of the episode of Paolo and Francesca described by Dante Alighieri in the V Canto of his Inferno.

History[]

The construction of the castle was begun in the 12th century by Pietro and Ridolfo del Grifo. Later, Malatesta da Verucchio captured the Grifo tower, which became the of the current castle, which was to be finished in the 15th century.

After the Malatesta seignory, the town was conquered by the Sforza in the September 1289. Here, in 1494, arrived Lucrezia Borgia, wife of Giovanni Sforza. After a short domination of Lucrezia's brother, Cesare, Gradara was handed over to the della Rovere. After the end of the latter's dynasty, the city was administrated directly by the Popes.

Notable people[]

• Bruno Bruni (artist), lithographer (1935–)

See also[]

• Gradara Castle

The Rocca (Castle) of Gradara.