Sassocorvaro Pu: Rocca Ubaldinesca and Lago di Mercatale

For a trip to Sassocorvaro Pu, two distinct perspectives stand out: the history of Rocca Ubaldinesca and the landscape around Lago di Mercatale. The Rocca is associated with the rescue of Italian art during the Second World War; around the lake, water, green hills and wooded areas shape the surroundings. Religious and cultural traditions, as well as a planned race format, add to the picture. Depending on your interests, you can focus on cultural heritage, walks and the lake, or local events.

Rocca Ubaldinesca and the Rescue of Art

Rocca Ubaldinesca was designed by Francesco di Giorgio Martini for Ottaviano degli Ubaldini. During the Second World War, the Rocca served as an “Arca dell’Arte” (Ark of Art), protecting thousands of masterpieces from the dangers of war. From 1939, the Operazione Salvataggio (Rescue Operation) made it possible to save almost 10,000 masterpieces of Italian art in the depots at Sassocorvaro and Urbino. The figures refer to different aspects: thousands of works in connection with the Rocca’s protective role, and almost 10,000 for the rescue operation at the two depots.

A museum route dedicated to Pasquale Rotondi inside the Rocca comprises several themed halls and recounts the key stages of the Operazione Salvataggio from 1939 to 1946. Here, 1939 marks the start of the rescue operation, while the period through 1946 covers the stages recounted along the route. This allows you to distinguish the Rocca’s role as a place of refuge from the longer story of the rescue operation.

Cultural and Religious Events

The Premio Rotondi has been awarded every year since 1997 at the Rocca’s Teatrino. If you would like to plan your trip around an award ceremony, check the date of that year’s event; specific future dates may vary. Another connection to San Valentino can be found at the Oratorio della SS. Trinità, which houses relics of the patron saint, San Valentino. Sassocorvaro’s annual San Valentino celebration includes a romantic walk along the Vie dell’Amore. If you are visiting around either event, check the date and the specific program planned for that year.

Lago di Mercatale: Lake, Hills and Walks

Lago di Mercatale is an artificial lake between Mercatale and Sassocorvaro. A dam on the Foglia River created the lake. Together with the green hills, it forms a natural landscape where water and wooded areas offer different perspectives. The wooded areas around the lake are suitable for walks and excursions; canoeists and anglers use the lake. As a guide, consider walks and excursions in the wooded areas on the one hand, and canoeing and angling on the lake on the other.

The Planned 1000curve Race Format

Another clearly distinct topic is the planned 1000curve race format in Sassocorvaro Auditore. There, the route between the start and finish is planned freely, while participants must pass through mandatory checkpoints. Route planning therefore combines a freely chosen course with designated checkpoints. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check future race dates separately.

Discover more destinations: Frontone, Montemaggiore Al Metauro, Fenile, Chiaserna, Fossombrone, Ca' Romano I, Mercatino Conca, Belvedere Fogliense

Go to the wider travel overview: Pesaro - Urbino.