SHARRYLAND
Whispers from beyond the grave
The Mausoleum of Federico da Montefeltro, between wonders and mysteries
Where is
On the slopes of the Cesane, the funeral monument desired by Federico da Montefeltro majestically observes Urbino from the top of the hill of San Donato. Thanks in part to the art of Francesco di Giorgio Martini, it celebrates the duke and his dynasty with refined grandeur.
The Church of San Bernardino
Known as the Church of San Bernardino, it is a Renaissance gem, witnessing the ups and downs suffered by the remains it holds. Centuries ago, it was the home of Piero della Francesca's celebrated Montefeltro Altarpiece, a copy of which can now be admired, faithful in size and in high definition, laden with meanings yet to be revealed.
The structure of the Mausoleum itself is pure art: it is reminiscent of monumental Roman tombs and does not leave you indifferent, conveying atmospheres far away in time bearing messages of precious things, lost things. Others, however, will never leave us. These are the layered memories that belonged to the Dukes and in particular to Frederick, who died in 1482 when the place that should have welcomed him was not yet completed. When he arrived there, Fe Dvx was mummified, perfectly intact, as if he were only asleep. Even his body tells a story-that of a mysterious disappearance, still shrouded in mists.
Mausoleum at twilightAn adventurous "rest"
Federico belongs to Urbino, yet he did not always remain on the hill overlooking the city. His mortal remains returned to the Mausoleum on June 3, 2022, after a solemn ceremony held in the Cathedral. They had previously been studied by paleopathologists from the University of Pisa, who explored his tomb in 2000. Their research recounted the great development of the muscles of the left pelvis, shoulder and arm, indicating significant physical activity related to horseback riding. Analysis also showed that he suffered from uric arthritis, which is why he could not ride or actively participate in battles during the last years of his existence.
The Duke's mortal remains were transported from Ferrara to Urbino: after the funeral, the body found its place on the wall of the main altar of San Bernardino, at a certain height from the ground as was customary with prominent personalities. Accounts tell of the richness of the burial: he was covered with a cloth of gold brocade and was wrapped in crimson and scarlet robes; his companion sword lay by his side. Come 1620, Frederick and his family members were relocated under the floor of the church, in the unfortunately damp burial chamber that over time ruined the original wooden coffins.
Unanswered questions
It is said that even the dead can speak, through their bodies. The case of the Duke is as peculiar as ever: returned to his own city intact, he was exhumed a second time in 1938, reporting to scholars that something was missing. What became of the sword, placed beside him? Who stole the crimson dress? What hand had the strength to break Fe Dvx's symmetry? How come even his skull disappeared? Years of moisture degraded the body, the remains were almost destroyed...yet all this alone cannot explain the mystery of lost things. The most disturbing question is, where are they today? Who knows, is careful not to speak.
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