Kentucky Real Estate Business

Archive for the ‘Kentucky Town Houses’ Category

Article by Daniel Spivey

When you proceed with the idea of buying a town home, you must sit in a face to face discussion with your home owner’s association. As an owner of the town home you are entitled to certain amenities and you should make it doubly sure that you are being catered with the same. Apart from ensuring the above factors, try to have a look at the minutes of their earlier board meeting so that you are abreast of the new issues that are being brought up. This would help you develop an idea on the factors being considered important in your community. Additionally it is advisable that you go through the CRR (Convent, Conventions and Restrictions) document thoroughly before finalizing the deal with the association. It is mandatory for every homeowner’s association to maintain this particular document wherein all the rules and regulations are drafted in black and white. It should contain elaborate details regarding the norms to be maintained in a town home. For instance, some town home management systems may impose certain limitations regarding decoration of your unit. Again, some might have some strict stipulations regarding pets. Quite a number of town homes prohibit having pets at homes. Again in some town homes only certain pet are allowed.

Town home fosters community lifestyle. Due to close proximity with the neighbors, you are assured of some kind of additional security. That however does not mean you should compromise with your personal privacy. It is essential that you get a clear idea about your home owners association and make it sure that they comply with their commitments.

Again, one should have a clear idea about the financial footing of the home owners association. Usually the maintenance fee paid by the residents of town homes is maintained in a reserve account for future contingencies. Every homeowner’s association is required to maintain an annual budget describing the net income and expenses and also their financial position so as to figure out their cash in hand. The more sound the association is financially, the more secured it is for the residents. If they are in shortage of funds, they charge the same from the members as a one time payment.

Last but never the least, once you conceive the idea of buying a town home, it is better you get a thorough check on your prospective house. It is even better if you consult a home inspector in this matter. Paying a little extra for this consultation fee would definitely relieve you of spending thousands of bucks for unforeseen repairing expenses.

While buying a townhome, ensure that your home is well protected with a home protection plan. Having a home protection plan relieves you of unnecessary expenses in cases of any repair for damage or any other kind of installation expenses. The home protection plans assure to reimburse you of any expenses related to replacement of some appliances. A home protection plan is a warranty against mechanical breakdowns. On the other hand, an insurance cover assures against unforeseen expenses related to repair of some parts. It is advisable to have these covers in combination. This is beneficial from the perspective of the seller and the buyer as well.

Buying a home is personal decision. The requirement and expectations from a house too varies from one individual to another. The above points are merely an overall guideline that might be considered at the time of buying a town home.

http://goarticles.com/article/Town-Home-Buying-Tips/912286/

At the end of February we spent a week in Larnaca in the middle of the south coast of Cyprus, 16 km east of the airport, we found a nice hotel on the beach 6 km east of the town centre.

When we were approaching Cyprus by plane the pilot told us that there was low visibility due to a dust storm from the Sahara, Larnaca airport was open, yet the one in Pafos was closed. My back bottom! I had read the guide book from cover to cover but had found nothing about sand storms,    the Cypriot woman sitting next to us informed us that dust storms were not a frequent but a regular phenomenon, they came once or twice a year. When we landed the worst was over, the first dust storm this year must really have been bad, it was worth a mention on the international news on CNN that night. During the following two days it was hazy but the dust storm didn’t hit again as predicted so that we could leave the hotel and see something of the island.

I had read in the guide book that one shouldn’t start discussions on the political situation of Cyprus as the subject was too delicate, but even before setting foot on the island we learnt that Cypriots like talking about it, the first person was the woman on the plane who gave us her point of view in detail.

When I mentioned how odd it was that the whole of Cyprus was in the EU in spite of the division and in spite of the fact that Turkey wasn’t, she cried that wasn’t the case, only the Greek south was, but she was wrong, in the course of our five days on Cyprus  we had some more conversations on the subject and learnt that the truth is even odder: the whole island belongs to the EU, but only the Greek Cypriots from the south and the Turkish Cypriots from the north are members, the approximately 120 000Turks from mainland Turkey who have (been) settled in the north after the division are not – even if they were born there, the nationality of the parents counts.

The population of Larnaca consisted of Greeks and Turks, when the Turkish army invaded the north, the town lost all its Turkish inhabitants and received thousands of forcefully displaced  Greeks from the north because of the ethnic cleansing policies of Turkey; the town developed as a tourist destination only in the 1980s and its population has increased to about 70 000 inhabitants, it’s important because of the airport (the biggest in Cyprus) and the port. It is not as touristy as Pafos in the west of the island but has some hotels and quite a lot of holiday houses along the beach.

When we stepped out of our hotel on the first morning into the garden and the pool area, we saw a concrete footpath running between the site and the water front and decided to walk to  the centre of Larnaca, walking in sunshine and good sea air was what we had come for and five kilometres (we had been told by the hotel staff that that was the distance) didn’t seem too much. The official brochure from the Larnaca Tourist Committee claims that the footpath is 5 km long, a lie! Read 1 km and you’ve got it. As our hotel was situated in the middle of the footpath so-to-speak, we soon had to step onto the beach, the longest in all Cyprus, not very beautiful, though, the sand is dirt grey and either hard as concrete or covered with pebbles.

Soon that was impossible, too, we came to an industrial area, closed oil refineries that reached down to the water front, we learnt later that they’re waiting to be demolished, the area will be filled with hotels and holiday apartment houses, in, say, ten years the whole area will look different (nicer). We had to move up and walk beside a busy road. We were too far to turn back and still quite far from the town centre. After some time we came to a parking site and asked a man how many kilometres we still had in front of us, it turned out that the distance was six kilometres instead of five and we had only covered half of it, he offered at once to give us a lift, good man that he was. He was a refugee from the north and together with the lift we got his view of the political situation.

He took us to Larnaca Marina, a port for sailing boats and cruise boats for tourists at the western end of the promenade, a wide avenue, about half a kilometre long, between the beach and a row of hotels and restaurants with high palm trees on either side. At its eastern end stands a  fort built by the Turks at the beginning of the 17th century on an old Venetian foundation, the Turks used it to watch business in the port, the British who took it over in 1878 when the Sultan submitted the island to the Queen for her services in the Turko-Russian war, used it as a prison, opposite the ticket booth  one can see a room where the gallows was, partisans of the anti-British uprisings were hanged there until the end of the 1940s.

Opposite the castle is the Beyuk Mosque which is considered the first Ottoman mosque in Cyprus, before the building became a mosque it was a Venetian Catholic Church. It looked well kept, restoration work was done at the minaret, the man who had given us the lift had told us that all mosques in Greek Cyprus are well kept and in working order whereas the churches in Turkish Cyprus have been destroyed or neglected and are used as warehouses or stables.

Some 50 m further into the old Turkish quarter stands the Orthodox Saint Lazarus Church from the 10th century, a multi-domed building of a type only to be found in Cyprus. The walls are bare bricks, icons hang everywhere, the carved wooden central wall is covered with icons from top to bottom as is the case in Orthodox churches, there is no altar. Monks’ singing drafted through the church, from a tape but very atmospheric. We looked into the crypt at Lazarus’ tomb; when Jesus Christ had resurrected Lazarus from the dead, the latter moved to Cyprus and became a bishop there (or did he?). His head lies in an ornamented chest in the church, in the middle of the top cover is a round opening covered with glass through which a part of his (a?) skull is visible, people came in and kissed the spot ardently, really kissed it, I could see the damp patch. Eek!

We strolled through the old Turkish quarter, looked at tiny cafés and one room shops, visited the small market hall where we saw the biggest potatoes ever, but found the quarter quite miserable and not picturesque as suggested by the guide book. The shopping street running behind it looks a bit more modern but we were surprised at how low the standard of living is, we hadn’t expected this, after all Cyprus was at the top economically of all the ten new member states that have recently joined the EU. A taxi-driver told us that the Greek Cypriots have all reason to be content, unemployment is low, Turkish Cypriots from the north come to work in the south (the Turks from mainland Turkey living in the north aren’t allowed to) as do thousands of immigrants from Asia and Eastern Europe. Well, everything is relative.

What else has Larnaca got to offer? There’s a small archaeological museum, one for palaeontology and marine life, the town is certainly not overwhelming culture–wise, but how many tourists care especially in summer when the temperature rises up to 43°C (109° F)? I liked the town and the area, we got what we had come for and I saw and heard only five country people. Being the world champions when  it comes to travelling the Germans are everywhere and often in the majority,  not so in Cyprus, though. Due to the fact that it was a British colony, British tourists feel good there, we heard that about 53% of the tourists come from the UK followed by Germans, Russians (never have I seen so many Russians since I visited Moscow!) and a mixed lot from different countries. You may dislike this information, for me going to Cyprus meant killing two birds with one stone; I enjoyed warmth (20° C / 68° F) and sunshine in February and the English language at the same time!

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/397900_a-visit-to-the-island-of-cyprus

The flourishing economy has led to the growth of many business houses and the establishment of new foreign based organizations in mainland China. This has naturally pushed up the demand for residential property by both national and expatriate population. Beijing is the national capital but Shanghai is also the well developed global city that exerts a lot of influence over commerce, finance, culture, fashion,research and entertainment. The requirement for Shanghai Housing has been increasing over the years as more and more people are looking for quality apartments and villas in popular areas of Shanghai.

There is a lot of variation in prices for residential houses , when it comes to the real estate market in Shanghai. The good news is that it caters to all income groups. If you prefer staying in spacious villas with a garden or backyard, the areas of Jing’an Temple area, Former French Concession area and Xintiandi are good options.

You can find a perfect old Shanghai house with well adorned fireplaces, chimneys in good working condition, beautifully crafted furniture, adorable light fixtures and big window frames. New Shanghai property exists in PuDong, Zhudi Town area, Green City Area and Zhingjiang High-tech Park area. The self serviced apartments cater well to those who have to stay on a short term basis in Shanghai but need a well furnished apartment near the Shanghai Airport or their own offices.

Choosing the right real estate agents is very crucial to get the right place for Shanghai Housing. The market is very volatile and the rents of residential properties vary a lot as per number of rooms, house location, level of furnishing and proximity to important offices and popular markets. You should thoroughly check the credentials of the Real estate company before asking them to facilitate your house search. The rental price for many properties may be negotiable and more often you will get adequate choice of properties if you select the right agent for your deal.

For the best Shanghai properties, New Port Real Estate gives you a wide choice of villas and apartments to choose from. We regularly update our website for the available property listings in preferred living districts of Shanghai. You may filter and short list the property as per rent, property type, number of rooms to select the best option.

All required information and our client testimonials can be accessed on:
.newportchina.com

http://business.ezinemark.com/shanghai-housing-7d2cd81ec47b.html

There is much to be found in Sea Point, sometimes referred to as the ‘New York’ of Cape Town, as it offers visitors a variety of bars, clubs, coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants and sidewalk cafés along the main road.

There is much luxury in the area in the form of apartments and mansions and many choose to set their here as the suburb boasts many sea views. Visitors are also bound to find much temporary that have sea views.

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When visiting Sea Point, visitors should take advantage of the extensive Sea Point promenade which runs from Banrty Bay to Mouille Point. It sees many joggers, strollers and families alike take to the promenade during sunset to watch the sky change from blue to a brilliant display of bright pink. There are also benches along the beachfront for those who like to rest while taking in the view, there are also a number of children’s playgrounds along the length of the promenade.

Visitors staying at Sea Point are also advised to take advantage of the Sea Point Pavilion that is open to the public as the ocean in the area is not a safe place to swim. The swimming pool complex has two children’s pools, a diving pool and an Olympic sized swimming pool, it is open everyday from 9:00 to 17:00 and has a spectacular view of the ocean.

During peak season the accommodation in Sea Point may be fully booked, in which case visitors should seek in the next suburb on, which also shares a coastline, Mouille Point.

Much like Sea Point, Mouille Point offers much with numerous sea views, it also has a long promenade and a Green Point common which includes a sports field and a golf course.

http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/sea-point-cape-town-3539646.html

A stable Cape Town property market has drawn a host of international buyers who are flocking in the ten and thousands to have a piece of the pie. Second home purchaser, multi unit rental investors, retirees, those interested in buy to let, they are all here. One of the countries that are most interested is the UK. What draw them here is the English speaking, great climate, stunning views, affordable cost of living and quality shopping facilities, good roads, accessible international airports and other infrastructures. The other advantage is that Cape Town is in the same time zone, which means that there is no jet lag when you take the overnight flight here.

Even though it is still cheaper than say buying in Southern Italy, property prices have soared since 1998 when Nelson Mandela opened it to foreign investors, which means that those who got in early have made a killing

Britons favor investing in the market because of the great wineries, versatile landscape and natural beauty, moderate climates, excellent leisure facilities and large ex-pat communities.

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At the tip of the African continent is Cape Town a place that blends eastern sensibilities with western ethos into a city that is truly global in nature. Enjoy the solidness of pastoral Europe, the spiciness of the Middle East brought together by the amazing African milieu. The clincher is of course the price tag, which is the best of international living at down to earth South African costs. This is truly the reason why you should opt for when looking for a second or vacation home.

Golfer’s paradise with PGA golfing facilities that are still cost effective and are kept up immaculately. Cape Town has mountains to climb, beaches to laze on and some of the best surf in the world. With some of the best vineyards in the world and a great range of cuisine to supplement it is all set to supplant Tuscany or the South of France when it comes to second homes for people in the UK and Europe. The Cape has officially got the largest proliferation of certified wineries in the world and has just the ideal atmosphere to unwind with a good Cape Chardonnay in the most peaceful of settings

The market has a good mix of everything; there are luxury ocean front villas, apartments in the city centre that you can lockup and leave, as well as large traditional Dutch Farmsteads and houses with acreage.

One of the latest trends in the Cape Town property market are home on private developmental estates that cater to specialized needs. So if you are a golfing aficionado you buy an apartment or a house on a golfing estate. If horses are your fancy you buy on an equestrian estate, if you are a wine connoisseur there are wine estates. These estates other than there obvious focused facilities offer 24 –hour security. Estate properties in generally present a favorable return on investment and outstanding resale values.

http://www.articlesbase.com/business-ideas-articles/why-the-stable-cape-town-property-market-is-a-magnet-for-investors-3634983.html

Article by Shereena Lingiah

Holidays in Olu Deniz offer plenty to do for the foreign tourist, from a perfect sandy beach to bustling nightclubs and boutique shops. However, if you’re after something completely different on your holiday in Olu Deniz then why not take a trip to Butterfly Valley.

You may not have heard of Butterfly Valley, which is home to the rare Jersey Tiger butterfly, but the destination is the perfect place to explore on your holidays in Olu Deniz. Conveniently, taxi boats leave the resorts of Olu Deniz and Fethiye three times a day and make the thirty minute journey to ‘Butterfly Valley’. However, the more adventurous tourist may want to reach the valley a completely different way. A steep and rocky trail slopes down from the upper rim of the valley, following the footpath from the front of ‘George House’. Although this route is much more strenuous, reaching the scenic canyon after a long climb can be an incredibly rewarding experience on your holiday in Olu Deniz.

Butterfly Valley is made up of a canyon, with steep cliffs stretching more than 350 metres high. These cliffs extend from an unspoiled natural beach, which stretches out over 4 kilometres. The cove has no electricity and just a simple beach restaurant, which makes it the perfect place to relax and get away from everything.

However, whilst relaxing is certainly a rewarding prospect, the truth is that the majority of people on their holidays in Olu Deniz don’t come to this destination to relax, but instead to marvel at the hordes of brightly coloured butterflies. More than 40 different species of butterflies come to this area to mate from June up until September. However, the rare Jersey Tiger butterflies are best seen between the months of April and June.

The valley also houses an enchanted waterfall, with vibrantly coloured flowers which in turn help attract the butterflies. The waterfall is located in a protected park and so if you want to visit this area whilst on your Olu Deniz holiday then you must be prepared to pay a small admission charge.

If you’re after something a little different on your holiday in Olu Deniz then why not take a visit to the ghost town of Kaya Koyu? The town was home to the Anatolian Greeks up until 1922 when they were deported during the exchange of populations that took part after the establishment of the Turkish republic. The new residents did not take up the existing houses and so in 1923 Kaya Koyu became a ghost town. Visiting an abandoned village may not sound the most enjoyable prospect on your holidays in Olu Deniz but the town is actually the gateway to a number of secluded beaches. With the town currently undergoing restoration work be sure to visit the Panayia Pirgiotissa Church before any major changes take place. The dramatic mosaic laid on the floor shows evidence of a community that really took pride in its Orthodox culture. Hopefully this community spirit will finally be restored when the town is renovated as a ‘friendship and peace’ community within the next couple of years.

http://goarticles.com/article/Butterflies-and-Ghost-Towns/1843379/

A mélange of eastern and western sensibilities, an amalgamation of the exotic Middle East, pastoral Europe and vigorous Africa Cape Town is truly cosmopolitan in nature.

Blessed with a climate that is Mediterranean, it also has the duality of snow covered peaks in the winter.

Home to some of the world’s best golf, Cape Town is also home to some award winning vineyards that promises a gourmands interest in cuisine. Blessed with both spectacular views and variety of culture Cape Town is the new hot destination for tourists.

With neighborhoods that were rundown even a couple of years ago fast regenerating into extremely palatable developments it’s a race to get in while the prices are still relatively low. With citizen groups and improvement trusts acting in congress to clean up there acts, what used to be run down are fast turning into sleek developments that are surrounded by amenities and cafes and shopping malls. Trendy bars and restaurant patios are filled with tourists who are on the look out for rentals. Investing in a here is a sound decision as you won’t have trouble finding tenants or future buyers.

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Bouncing back from the recession that have affected global markets significantly all over the world, market is improving as more buyers are looking to purchase in the Cape, South Africa.

In demand are for sale like smaller second homes and apartments that are viable to be used as vacation rentals. Investors are slowly returning as they start feeling confident that these are viable and test water before buying a house.

The market is still volatile as buyers are being very careful before dipping into the market. The most popular bet is still the vacation rental that can start paying its way immediately after investment. The success of the World Cup has definitely helped. As has the fact that 3 million tourists are expected to visit South Africa this year. Buyers are still reluctant to invest in high priced premium properties that have reached a plateau and would not be profitable in the short term.

The market ground to a halt in 2009 as owners decided to wait before selling as they were not getting the prices that they had come to expect. This caused a lot of financial difficulties and now a lot of these properties are back on with prices that are significantly lower.

This is very encouraging for the buyer especially those interested to invest in vacation homes and rentals. The Cape remains a very popular destination for tourists, retirees and people on holiday.

The market with its improved outlook is back to being just right if you are looking to invest in up market homes and beach front houses. Still competitively priced when compared to any where else in the world with similar aspects the Cape is poised to take back its title as the most sought after real estate in the world.

http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/cape-town-properties-are-doing-a-fast-turn-around-3655945.html

There are many people that travel to the red rock cliff of the Moab to take in the outdoor adventures of rock crawling with their jacked up off road vehicle. Driving out into the beautiful but desolate region of southeastern Utah the sports enthusiasts that take part in a number of recreational activities find that Moab is a great place to spend their free time. Taking part in rock climbing as well as hiking and camping adventures some people choose to test their skills against the white water of the Colorado River that offers rafting trips for people that do not mind getting a little wet. Using one of the local hotels Moab has to offer as their base of operations, the city is a hotspot for visitors that come in to the Utah community from all over the world. Hosting a number of different festivals and extreme sports competitions, Moab is a small town that enjoys a big reputation.

The gateway of many of the outdoor recreational activities that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists to the remote and unforgiving landscape of the Utah wilderness, Moab is a place that has been shared with the world through the lens of camera equipment that is brought in from Hollywood. Appearing as the backdrop for a number of films and television series the natural rock formations of the Utah desert have continued to be a point of interest to many people over the years.

While being out in the canyons and climbing mountains makes for great recreation the need of a good bed at the end of a fun filled day, has most people returning to the hotels Moab is famous for. Giving visitors a chance to rest up as they take in the local culture of the friendly people that call Moab home, the hotels provide a resting place where someone can renew their energy and gear up for another day of outdoor enjoyment.

For people that enjoy camping out under the stars and seeing millions of tiny lights in the sky looking down on them the stay in a hotel room might not be as scenic as lying out under the night sky, but it cannot be beaten for getting a solid night’s rest after a long day outdoors. Allowing a person to rest up for their next big adventure the hotels Moab makes available to visitors are the best place to unwind and share stories about the exciting adventures that have taken place over the course of an adventure filled day.

http://business.ezinemark.com/the-big-reputation-of-a-small-town-3226b2d578a.html

If you are on the verge of purchasing a new home, then you must have probably gone nuts on where to get a nice looking house that is within your budget. Of course, you don’t have the luxury of time to tour around the town near you or the nearby city just to look for a house. There’s more to life than spending hours and hours looking for the right house. Besides, who has the patient to go online and check for listings after listings and then get caught in the middle of nowhere and end up with no choice?

This is where a real estate agent can make the job of looking for the perfect house for you come out in the picture. Imagine, you don’t need to drive around in order to look house after house and then eventually walk away with nothing. Having a real estate agent at your back can save you time and tons of money. Of course, if you get the best real estate agent. 

As they all say, let the expert do the job. So, let him be. A real estate agent is an expert on the field of real estate and knows where to find a specific house that suits your requirements as well as your budget. The best part is you will be on for a real bargain if luck comes in. 

Here are few tips for you that you can use in order to find the best real estate in town:

1.A member of a reputable real estate firm 

If you are looking for a trustworthy real estate that has relative experience on the field, then getting one from a reputable real estate firm is the place to be. In this way, you will be assured of that the real estate agent will give you the best deals in town without worrying too much.

2.Has good reputation

Always deal with a real estate agent who has good reputation. Customer satisfaction should always be a top priority. If you have heard and convinced by a lot of customers telling you did he deliver as what has been agreed upon, then you are definitely on the right hands.

3.Knows what you are looking for

Every customer has different needs. Your requirements are not the same as the other customers. Therefore, a good real estate agent knows to find the house that you are looking for with no sweat at all. He or she must be versatile enough in order to find ways and means to get the dream house you always wanted.

With the given tips above, surely your quest for buying a new house will be a breeze without even to worry the tag prize. You will always get the best deal without creating hole in your pocket. 

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/491953_selecting-the-best-real-estate-agent

The small town of Lostwithiel, Cornwall, England lies nearly in the central region of the Cornwall Peninsula, in the southwestern region of the country and the United Kingdom. It lies on an estuary of a local waterway, the Fowey River. Today, it has a population of nearly 3, 000 people. It also sits on the A390, which is a road located in Cornwall and the neighboring county, Devon. It runs from Tavistock over to Truro, in the county.

There is a bit of history to Lostwithiel. It is known as a historic borough, the designation which it kept until it was re-categorized as a civil parish in the 1960s. It lost its two members to the unreformed House of Commons, which was the name the of the English House of Commons before the Reform Act of 1832 was enacted.

The town has the benefit of having a railway station in its midst. The Cornish Main Line railway runs through Lostwithiel, and runs from Plymouth to the famous old pirate town of Penzance.

There are also several notable historical buildings within the town, including Saint Bartholomew’s Church, a mainly 14th century structure with Grade 1 status, and the Restormel Castle, which is one of the four castles in Cornwall erected by the Normans during their reign in England.

Lostwithiel lies in the old tin-mining region of Cornwall and was once known as a stannary town. Stannary refers to mining activities involving that metal. At one time – due to its stature in tin mining – it was considered one of the most important towns in Cornwall, though that status is much reduced nowadays.

Cornwall is today designated as both a ceremonial county and a smaller unitary district within the English classification system of such regions.

It makes up the entire tip of the southwestern peninsula of Great Britain. It is also bordered on two sides by bodies of water, the Atlantic Ocean on the northern side and the English Channel on the southern side of the peninsula.

http://travel.ezinemark.com/the-small-town-of-lostwithiel-cornwall-4f05fbc4c19.html

One of the least touristed regions in Italy is Marche. Its capital is a small, picturesque walled Renaissance hill town named Urbino which is located about 30km from Adriatic sea, and since 1998 Urbino’s “centro storico” (historic centre) is included in Unesco list of World Heritage Sites.

“Urvinum Mataurense” (translates as “the little city on the river Mataurus”) remains one of the most important towns for those that seeking the great Italian art and architecture. Since the second half of the 15th century Urbino was just another modest Roman, and later medieval city. Under the patronage of Federico da Montefeltro, duke of Urbino from 1444 to 1482 who was a very successful condottiere, a skilful diplomat and an enthusiastic patron of art and literature, the town experienced a great cultural flowering. The duke gathered around him the greatest poets, painters, and scholars of his day from all over Italy and far beyond. All those charismatic people created an exceptional urban complex, the influence of which, carried far into the rest of Europe.

The little hill town nestled on a high sloping hillside; harmoniously adapted to its physical site and to its medieval precursor is a pinnacle of Renaissance art and architecture. Only the large car parks below the town can be considered as a cacophony to the past’s aspect.

For a great first impression approach the town from Arezzo to see the fairy-tale twin towers of the huge Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace) that give Urbino its unmistakable skyline. Once inside, the courtyard sets the tone; a masterpiece of proportion and light carried out with the deftest of touches. Keep in mind that this palace was the first of its kind; the others you will meet across Italy are mere copies.

Among an interesting and vast network of rooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, cellars, and stables, the palace houses “Galleria Nazionale delle Marche”; a museum with a remarkable collection of paintings. Piero della Francesca’s Flagellation of Christ is included and this is one of world’s greatest and most enigmatic images. Do not leave Ducal Palace without visiting “Museo Archeologico”; the second museum inside the building complex where the visitor can meet the few traces of earlier Roman Urbinum Metaurense.

None of palace’s rooms were designed to oppress with grandeur. All were built on a human scale and decorated with glad-hearted sobriety. The Duke’s “Studiolo” is the most unusual room in the palace. His tiny study is entirely decorated in exquisite trompe l’oeil inlaid woodwork panels, some based on designs by Botticelli.

Continue your exploration of the lovely medieval town by visiting other palaces around such as “Palazzo Albani”, “Palazzo Odasi” and “Palazzo Passionei”.

And as time passes if you find yourself tired of visiting interesting buildings (!) just wander in Urbino’s beguiling streets and have a stop in the hub of the town; the animated “Piazza della Repubblica” that lies in a dip between the twin humps of a hill. There you’ll find cafes, shops, and lots of people. Many of them are students as Urbino has a university started in 1506 and it’s a center for maiolica ceramics, art, and culture.

Urbino is such a modest sized town but someone can find a considerable number of churches. In “Piazza della Repubblica” is located the Duomo (cathedral). Founded in 1021 over a 6th century religious edifice, the 12th century plan was turned 90 degrees from the current one, which is a new construction also started by Federico II. The church finished only in 1604, and had a simple plan with a nave and two aisles, but it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1789. The Roman architect Giuseppe Valadier rebuilt the building and the works lasted until 1801. The new church has a typical neo-classicist appearance, with a majestic dome.

Do not miss the really interesting small church of San Giovanni Battista. It is entirely decorated in 1416 with wall-to-ceiling frescoes by the painters Jacopo and Lorenzo Salimbeni. A few outside the region are aware of the brothers but that fact does not reduce the brilliance of their earthy vision of the life of St John the Baptist and a terrifying Crucifixion. The visitor can spot also a great number of playful small dogs in the lively scenes.

You can continue by visiting the church of Sant’Agostino which was built in Romanesque style in the 13th century, but largely modified in the following centuries; the one of San Francesco (14th century), originally a Gothic-Romanesque edifice of which an 18th century restoration has left only the portico and the bell tower; and finally the Oratory of San Giuseppe (early 16th century).

After all, if you catch yourself feeling full of architecture impressions have a stop in a rarely visited but nevertheless delightful place: The “Orto Botanico”, a small, walled botanic garden full of rare plants.

Another place the visitor can “explore” is the small fortress at the top of Urbino named Albornz; which is locally known as “La Fortezza”. This is a 14th century edifice which in the past was the defensive point for the walls. Now is a spot for great a great views of the town and surrounding hills.

Last but not least, I ought to mention that Urbino is the birthplace of the great Renaissance painter Raphael (1483). His family’s house is now a pretty little museum. A simple fresco of the Madonna and Child in one of the rooms may have been one of his earliest works.

As you leave the fairy-tale Urbino have a stop at the tombs of Duke Federico and his son, Guidobaldo, in the fine church of San Bernardino. It was built in 1491 by Francesco di Giorgio Martini and situated on the hill above the junction for the Pesaro road.

(All images by the author)

See also:

Herculaneum the Unknown

Palermo: The Capuchin Catacombs, the Museum of the Dead

Bagheria: “Villa of the Monsters”

Salvador Dali: A Photographic Journey Into an Ingenious Mind

Theatre of Epidaurus: A Marvel of Acoustics

Temple of Epicure Apollo

Galleria Ferrari

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