Gradara
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Comune di Gradara | |
|---|---|
 Municipal coat of arms |
|
| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Marche |
| Province | Pesaro-Urbino (PU) |
| Mayor | Franca Foronchi (since May 2006) |
| Elevation | 142 m |
| Area | 17 km² |
| Population | |
| - Total (as of December 31, 2004) | 3,361 |
| - Density | 198/km² |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | Gradaresi |
| Dialing code | 0541 |
| Postal code | 61012 |
| Frazioni | Santo Stefano, Fanano Alto, Fanano Basso, Granarola |
| Patron | San Terenzio |
| - Day | September 24 |
| Website: www.gradara.org | |
Gradara is a town and commune in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, in the region of Marche in central Italy. It is located 25 km from Rimini and 13 km from Pesaro.
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.
[edit] 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 mastio 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.
| Acqualagna | Apecchio | Auditore | Barchi | Belforte all'Isauro | Borgo Pace | Cagli | Cantiano | Carpegna | Cartoceto | Casteldelci | Colbordolo | Fano | Fermignano | Fossombrone | Fratte Rosa | Frontino | Frontone | Gabicce Mare | Gradara | Isola del Piano | Lunano | Macerata Feltria | Maiolo | Mercatello sul Metauro | Mercatino Conca | Mombaroccio | Mondavio | Mondolfo | Monte Cerignone | Monte Grimano | Monte Porzio | Montecalvo in Foglia | Monteciccardo | Montecopiolo | Montefelcino | Montelabbate | Montemaggiore al Metauro | Novafeltria | Orciano di Pesaro | Peglio (PU) | Pennabilli | Pergola | Pesaro | Petriano | Piagge | Piandimeleto | Pietrarubbia | Piobbico | Saltara | San Costanzo | San Giorgio di Pesaro | San Leo | San Lorenzo in Campo | Sant'Agata Feltria | Sant'Angelo in Lizzola | Sant'Angelo in Vado | Sant'Ippolito | Sassocorvaro | Sassofeltrio | Serra Sant'Abbondio | Serrungarina | Talamello | Tavoleto | Tavullia | Urbania | Urbino |
