Discover Tavullia: History, Landscapes and Routes

Tavullia combines medieval traces, religious art, memorial sites and a varied landscape. If you are looking for a place for your trip to Italy with cultural themes and routes through the surrounding area, you will find an unusually diverse selection here: the range extends from views of the castle and historic churches to cycling routes, riverside paths and valleys of natural interest.

History, Art and Memorial Sites

Tomba Castle has medieval origins and bore the name Castrum Tumbae Montis Pilosi. From its walls, there are views of Montefeltro, the Adriatic and the Apennines. This gives the site a historical dimension combined with a broad connection to the landscape, which is particularly relevant when planning a trip focused on cultural and natural attractions.

The relics of the catacomb saint San Pio are preserved in the Church of San Lorenzo Martire. On the first Sunday in May, these relics are carried in a procession. San Lorenzo is also home to the painting The Last Supper by Nicolò da Pesaro; the artist is also known as Trometta. The Church of San Donato preserves the relics of Blessed Ugolino delle Caminate. It is also home to the Madonna in trono col Bambino, regarded as a rare example of Romanesque wooden art from the Marche.

The QUOTA 204 monument in Montechiaro commemorates the breakthrough by Canadian Allied troops through the German defensive positions between August and September 1944. The Torre di Pirano is the ruin of a fortress that served as a lookout because of its strategic location. Only the walls on the southern and eastern sides of the castle in Belvedere Fogliense remain. A mural in Tavullia depicts the face of motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi.

Cycling Routes, Paths and Distinctive Landscapes

Tavullia is the lead municipality of the Tour dei Campioni, a permanent cycle-tourism route. For orientation on two wheels, the old road from Case Bernardi to Padiglione adds to the options: it can be travelled by bicycle or on horseback. The Strada marrone route leads from Babbucce to Belvedere through the typical agricultural landscape.

The geological and botanical features of the surrounding area are also clearly defined. On the Monteluro ridge, there are volcanic rubble stones and fossils from the Pliocene. Valmala is known locally as “Foss del gnocc” and is a valley of natural interest where nature has reclaimed a once-inhabited place. The spring flora of Valmala includes wild orchid species that do not occur at lower elevations.

A tourist path leads from San Martino in Foglia along the river, past an old mill and, after crossing the provincial road, to below the walls of Belvedere Fogliense. Along the way, it passes a sulphur spring. Depending on your focus, you can therefore regard Tavullia as a starting point for historical discoveries, cycling tours or a slower exploration of the landscape, without having to limit these interests to the same type of excursion.

Distance and Arrival Options for Choosing a Location

Belvedere Fogliense is about 11 km from Tavullia and can be reached from there via Provincial Road 38 and then the SP 17. Tavullia can also be reached by train via the stations in Pesaro or Cattolica, followed by local buses.

More Destinations for Orientation

For further planning of your trip to Italy, you can also explore Carpegna, Marotta, Villa Del Monte, San Giorgio Di Pesaro, Saltara, Novilara, Città Di Castello and Serra Sant'abbondio.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pesaro - Urbino.