She doubtless visited the neighboring castle of Urbino, where Guidobaldo di Montefetre and his spouse Elisabetta resided, and which the accomplished Federico had made an asylum for the cultivated.

At that time Raphael, a boy of twelve, was living in Urbino, a diligent pupil in his father's school.
[Illustration: TASSO.
From an engraving by Raffaelle Morghen.] In summer Lucretia removed to one of the beautiful villas on a neighboring hill.

Her husband's favorite abode was Gradara, a lofty castle overlooking the road to Rimini, whose red walls and towers are still standing in good preservation.

The most magnificent country place, however, was the Villa Imperiale, which is a half hour's journey from Pesaro, on Monte Accio, whence it looks down far over the land and sea.
It is a splendid summer palace worthy of a great lord and of people of leisure, capable of enjoying the amenities of life.

It was built by Alessandro Sforza in the year 1464, its corner-stone having been laid by the Emperor Frederic III when he was returning from his coronation as Emperor of Rome; hence it received the name Villa Imperiale.