Art lovers, Renaissance enthusiasts and beauty hunters: this itinerary is dedicated to you. Destination Pennabilli, province of Rimini, where you can let your eyes run to the horizon over the landscapes that inspired Piero della Francesca and Leonardo da Vinci.
In fact, two researchers have discovered that the scenic spots that inspired these illustrious Renaissance figures for the background of some of their paintings are hidden right in the hills of Montefeltro. This itinerary is an adventure following the footsteps of art and history.
The journey to the two "Renaissance Overlooks" can be traveled by car or motorcycle, depending on which is your preferred means of transportation.
The first overlook on our itinerary is located at Il Roccione.
From the central square, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, you can reach the overlook in a 5-minute walk.
Before reaching your destination you can take some of your time and wander around the village, which contains a monumental and artistic heritage that is worth
being delved into and enjoyed in all seasons. During your walk, choose
to walk along the Strada delle Meridiane, where the sundials placed on the buildings in the village in the historic center mark time according to methods belonging to different historical eras.
Pennabilli's overlook is dedicated to the Mona Lisa, and this cliff in the upper part of the village overlooks the basin of the Senatello Stream, an important tributary of the Marecchia River. On the horizon is Mount Aquilone belonging to the Fumaiolo Massif. From here one can recognize the right side of the Mona Lisa painting: the "place of the bridge" under the cliff of Pozzale, the large lake at the foot of Mount Aquilone that became extinct as a result of the great landslides that forever altered the landscape.
The second overlook, by Piero della Francesca, is located in Petrella Guidi di Sant'Agata Feltria; from here it is possible to observe almost the entire landscape depicted in The Baptism of Christ, preserved at the National Gallery in London.
Actually the most faithful site, from which to observe everything, would be a little further downstream, right on the river. Unfortunately, it was not possible to set up the overlook in the floodplain because of the unpredictable flooding of the river.
Petrella Guidi is a silent village, a panoramic viewpoing over the Valmarecchia, a little trip to take in any season. It has kept intact all its characteristics as a fortified town, which is why a walk here is a plunge into history.
If you still have time, don't miss nearby Sant'Agata Feltria with its eleven things
not to miss.
