Tavullia is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Pesaro and Urbino in the Marche region of Italy, located about 70 km northwest of Ancona and about 15 km southwest of Pesaro. Until 13 December 1938, it was known as Tomba di Pesaro. Tavullia is the home town of nine-time world motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi. His family built a dirt oval racetrack close to the town. The town is considered by some to be part of the historical region of Romagna.

Geography

Tavullia is 70 km northwest of Ancona, 15 km from Pesaro and 30 km from Rimini. Tavullia borders the following municipalities: Gradara, Mondaino, Montecalvo in Foglia, Montegridolfo, Montelabbate, Pesaro, Saludecio, San Giovanni in Marignano, Vallefoglia.

History

The area of Tavullia was likely inhabited before the Middle Ages, though the first mentioned settlement is a castle situated on the slopes of Monte Peloso, the "Castrum Montis Pilos Tumbao". It was the location of violent clashes between the Malatesta family (Guelphs who ruled over the city of Rimini) and that of Montefeltro (Ghibellines). The largest battle was fought in 1443 at Monteluro: the Sforza intervention in favor of the Malatesta led to their victory. The territory was always littered with castles, many of which are now disappeared: that of Monteluro was subject of numerous battles for its strategic importance and now only a few ruins remain.

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