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	43°56′N 12°46′E
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.