Gradara | |
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Comune di Gradara | |
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Coordinates: 43°56′N 12°46′E / 43.933°N 12.767°E | |
Country | Italy |
Region | Marche |
Province | Pesaro e Urbino (PU) |
Frazioni | Santo Stefano, Fanano alta, Fanano Bassa, Granarola, pievecchia |
Government | |
• Mayor | Filippo Gasperi |
Area | |
• Total | 17 km2 (7 sq mi) |
Elevation | 142 m (466 ft) |
Population (December 31, 2004)[2] | |
• Total | 3,361 |
• Density | 200/km2 (510/sq mi) |
Demonym | Gradaresi |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 61012 |
Dialing code | 0541 |
Patron saint | San Terenzio |
Saint day | third sunday of September |
Gradara is a town and comune in the Province of Pesaro e Urbino (PU), in the region of Marche in central Italy. It is 6 km from Gabicce Mare and Cattolica, 25 km from Rimini, 15 km from Pesaro and 33 km from Urbino. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").[3]
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. With its castle as a major tourist attraction, the town is considered by some to be functionally an extension of the riviera romagnola.[4]