Fermignano is a town in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, in the Marche region, it crosses the Metauro river. Probably of Roman origin, its history, between hypotheses and certainties, is full of noteworthy episodes. Certainly its history was determined by its strategic position on the Metauro river, on which a medieval bridge stands. Fermignano is also famous for being the birthplace of the great architect Donato Bramante.
Things to see and do in Fermignano
A dip in the medieval history is the town thanks to the Palio della Rana, in the month of April, between historical re-enactments, medieval games, flag-wavers and dinners in taverns. The Palio is a historic tournament that has its roots in the distant past; and more precisely in 1607, when the Castello di Fermignano obtained from the Municipality of Urbino the permission to govern itself: it was thus that the inhabitants celebrated the event with banquets, songs and games such as the sack race, tug of war, the battle of the queues , race to the source and the race of frogs in a wheelbarrow. Revived since 1966, this original race is the most awaited moment of the party. The seven Contradas challenge each other in the race observing a strict regulation: it is forbidden to obstruct the opposing competitors, each runner must treat his frog with care and, if it jumps out of the wheelbarrow, he must pick it up and reposition it; finally, when approaching the finish, each dumper must return to the lane assigned to him at the start and cross the finish line by pushing the wheelbarrow with the frog still on board. For the conquest of the Palio, the ability of the "freeroll" is at least as important as the unpredictable behavior of the animal, which at the end of the race is brought back to its natural habitat.
During the festival or at different times during a visit to Fermignano it is a must to taste the dishes of the local tradition.
In the historic center, the Medieval Tower of the Militia is worth a visit, with its wooden models based on the projects of Donato Bramante, the aedicule with the fresco "Madonna with Child" from the end of the 15th century on the Roman bridge which is reflected on the ancient ducal paper mill; or the Church of Santa Veneranda, which houses a wooden crucifix from 1535, the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena and the new Cathedral.
In the surroundings, the Gola del Furlo stand out, a state nature reserve where eagles still nest, Urbino, the cradle of the Renaissance, and Urbania, the ancient Casteldurante famous for its ceramics and Fossombrone, on the route of the ancient Via Flaminia.
