Pietrarubbia means ‘red stone’ – and that is where this little castle is built on. It is situated high on a massive rock and overlooking the wide-spread lands of Montefeltro.
It is said that this is the ancestral home of the house of Montefeltro, long and important rulers of the area in the Middle Ages and the later Renaissance.
Not far away from Pesaro and near to the ‘border’ to the Emilia-Romagna region the Montefeltro area was a day trip for me as there are a few sights I wanted to visit. One of these sights was Pietrarubbia.
The castle was built around the 5th century and got more importance around the year 1000 AD, right under the castle there was once a village with a few houses, a church and a small palace.
The history of the castle which was a great viewpoint for the surrounding area goes with the rest of the country. After the Montefeltro dynasty around 1355 it fell under control of the church and then the dukes of Urbino in the influence of the Malatesta family from Rimini.
It was always a very secure castle as it seems to be impossible to conquer it thanks to the position.
Today there is not much to see of the castle. It’s more the remaining structure of the center, a tower, on which it could be possible to climb up. But there is a gate closing the stairs.
I think the little houses before climbing up to the castle are really nice. There is a little museum of ceramics. Furthermore there are some sculptures of metal to see, part of an exhibition of the T. A. M. (Trattamento Artistico dei Metalli) which results to be an artistic school. In the tiny church there is a bronze sun to see, made by Arnaldo Pomodoro. Unfortunately when I was there all was closed.
About the history of the castle itself I didn’t find too much but the place is great because gives an amazing view on the surrounding hills and medieval villages nearby. The way up to the castle itself is a little steep. When the museum and church are open it will be wonderful here and for sure possible to stay a few hours. Great to sit in the sun on a bench, reading about the history of the Montefeltro and looking over the landscape.
Pietrarubbia, Le Marche/Italy:
For further information:
Pietrarubbia, the website
