Petriano

A village that holds a secret. An elixir of health enclosed in its waters that are rich in minerals flowing from the spectacular hills that flow through the lower valley of the River Metauro. The percentage of sulphur is among the highest in Italy, to the point that even Raffaello Sanzio exploited the healing benefits of this miraculous water.

The small hilltop village of Petriano carries in its very name the strong link with this precious element: Prae tres amnes in Latin indicates its particular geographic position over the three rivers that cross the territory: the Apsa descending from Urbino, The Tagliatesta coming from Cesane (passing through Palazzo del Piano) and the river Razzo that marks the northern boundaries.

An impression confirmed by ancient rites and ancestral beliefs. Like the strong link with Lightning, the Madonna, protector of atmospheric events, is venerated in the ancient church dedicate to St. Martin. The religious building with three naves has a ceiling that is the oldest in the area. It is even cited in a parchment dating from 1069.  The historic centre, has a bell tower that preserves the treasures of Luigi Scorraro and Antonio Rondelli.

A stop favoured by  knights in the years of the ducal court's splendour, Petriano retains its refined elegance and ancient splendour.  As with other nearby territories, its destiny is historically linked to that of the Duchy of Urbino, which it joined in 1219. Among the glorious episodes of its past, the descendants of ancient families readily recount Captain Carletto's gesture, who in 1505 succeeded in resisting the attack by the armies of the Borgia and even going on to conquer Rimini.

The historic centre,is typical of medieval fortified villages, it preserves monumental structures of ancient charm, built side by side with modern buildings.

The Church of Santa Maria in Calafria, present in records since 1290 was rebuilt in 1700, and houses the Annunciazione by Domenico Giannotti. Most recently the San Gallo Church, built in 1956, is quoted in the guides for its canvas of San Bernardino da Siena who adorns the Madonna delle nevi from the Church of San Bernardino. Inside there is also a crucifixion from the seventeenth century and a banner depicting the Assumption with Saint John the Baptist and San Giuliano Martyr.

The Oratory of the Most Holy Conception of the Valley, set up by the Crescentini family, is worthy of note, the chapel of St. Bernard, which nowadays presents itself as an edifice enclosed by stained glass windows with a rare fresco from 1779 depicting the Madonna dei Sodi. Finally, we find  the Church of St. John the Baptist in Riceci, whose design has a terracotta facade that reminds us of  the works of architect Giuseppe Tosi.

Petriano is visited for its miraculous water that flows out of the slopes of the terrain and into small pools before returning to the source called  "La Valle" loaded with valuable minerals such as sulphur, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium and sulphate.