Holiday apartment in Tavullia – history, cycling routes and nature

Tavullia combines medieval heritage with cycling routes and natural features. Its historical heritage includes Tomba Castle, the churches of San Lorenzo Martire and San Donato, and the QUOTA 204 monument in Montechiaro.

Tomba Castle and historical heritage

Tomba Castle has medieval origins and was known as Castrum Tumbae Montis Pilosi. From its walls, there are views of Montefeltro, the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines.

The relics of the catacomb saint San Pio are kept in the church of San Lorenzo Martire. On the first Sunday in May, they are carried in a procession. San Lorenzo is also home to the painting The Last Supper by Nicolò da Pesaro, known by the nickname 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, considered a rare example of Romanesque wood art from the Marche region.

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

Cycling routes between farmland and old roads

Tavullia is the lead municipality of the Tour dei Campioni, a permanent cycling tourism route. Another route, the Strada marrone, runs from Babbucce to Belvedere through the characteristic agricultural landscape.

The old road from Case Bernardi to Padiglione can be travelled by bicycle or on horseback. A tourist trail also 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, the trail passes a sulfur spring.

Monteluro and Valmala: distinctive landscape features

The Monteluro ridge is home to volcanic scree and fossils from the Pliocene. Valmala is known by the popular name “Foss del gnocc” and is considered a valley of significant natural interest. There, nature has reclaimed a formerly inhabited place.

Valmala’s spring flora includes wild orchid species that do not occur at lower elevations.

Distance and travel

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

Discover more places

Montefelcino, San Costanzo, San Lorenzo In Campo, Sant'angelo In Vado, Calcinelli, Fossombrone, Monte Cerignone and Chiaserna

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Pesaro - Urbino.