The Ducal Palace occupies the entire north side of the Piazza del Popolo and gives the square its character. Built for the Sforza lords of Pesaro in the mid-fifteenth century, it is a confident example of early Renaissance architecture: a rusticated stone facade with arched windows, a courtyard of elegant proportions, and the general air of a family that wanted to be taken seriously.
The interior is not publicly accessible (it functions as the regional prefecture), but the courtyard can be visited during business hours and the facade rewards attention. The Piazza del Popolo in front is the main gathering point of the city and a good place to sit with a coffee and watch Pesaro go about its business.