Belforte All'Isauro: Castle, Culture and Cycling Routes

Belforte all'Isauro lies on the left bank of the River Foglia and is clustered around its medieval manor house. The castle dominates the valley; a ring of hills surrounds the town, which lies near Monte Carpegna. The river, hills and castle thus define the geographical landmarks for a stay. Visitors interested in the town's history can find tangible points of interest at the castle and churches; described cycling and walking routes offer opportunities for outdoor activities.

The Castle and the Town's History

Castello di Belforte all'Isauro was built in the late Middle Ages on a Lombard settlement dating from the 6th century AD. It was rebuilt by Francesco di Giorgio Martini at the behest of Duke Federico da Montefeltro. This building history connects the site's early settlement with the castle's later form and its reconstruction. For visitors interested in medieval history and architecture, the castle is a defining landmark in the town.

The churches also have their own distinctive features. The Church of San Lorenzo in Belforte all'Isauro houses paintings from the Baroccesque school of the 17th century. During the restoration of the Chiesa di San Pietro in Località Campo, the exposed-brick exterior surfaces were completed; the work also included the complete replacement of the roof and the wooden roof trusses. Alongside the paintings, these specific works on the historic building fabric are also worth noting.

Not all areas of the castle are accessible to visitors with mobility impairments because of architectural barriers. Please take this limitation into account when planning your visit.

Cycling Routes and Outdoor Trails

A bicycle is required for the various Bike Tour Alta Val Metauro e Foglia routes, which can be used free of charge. Check local route conditions before setting out. Two loops give a clear idea of the distances involved: Vedute Feltresche is a 64.5-kilometre mountain-bike loop that reaches Belforte all'Isauro. It can be started in any municipality it passes through. The Urbino–Belforte all'Isauro–Urbino cycling loop is 105 kilometres long and passes through the town. The different distances help put the scope of the two tours into perspective.

Another option is the Belforte all'Isauro–Ca' dell'Aia route, which starts in the centre of Belforte. This gives the route a specific starting point. Numerous trails also lead from Belforte to Parco del Sasso Simone e Simoncello. The town offers trails for trekking, mountain-bike excursions and horse riding. Alongside the designated cycling loops, these activities provide further concrete options for planning a visit.

For cycling tours, the route distance and starting point are useful ways to distinguish between them; the cultural highlights are the history of the castle and the different features of the two churches.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Montesecco, San Giorgio Di Pesaro, Trebbiantico, Cagli, Montecalvo In Foglia, Piandimeleto, Pergola, Serra Sant'abbondio.

For the overview of the wider area: Pesaro - Urbino.