URBINO

On this day the 5th centenary of the death of the great "condottiero" and protector of the arts
Federico da Montefeltro is celebrated.
The whole reconstruction dates back to a historical recall of different events which took place in thet period, either concerning the House of Montefeltro or the House of della Rovere. The so-called Torneo Cavalleresco all'anello (Knights' Ring Tournament) is also reproduced: it used to be a bloodless competition that was firs introduced in the Renaissance by the Urbino court.

This reproduction specially recalls the unfortunate accident that hit the Magnificent Federico in 1450, when he had the visor of his helmet pierced by his opponent's lance and was thus deprived of his right eye. Raphael's native town and the Urbino Court for whom Baldasar Castiglione wrote his immortal pamphlet "Del Cortigiano" (a book on good manners) make a beautiful background to the feast.