Historic centre

Historic churches in Pesaro old town: Sant'Agostino, Vanvitelli's Maddalena and the Cathedral

Updated 4 November 2026. Between the squares and palaces of Pesaro's old town stand three churches from very different periods and tastes: the Gothic portal of Sant'Agostino, the brick façade of the Maddalena designed by Luigi Vanvitelli and the Cathedral with its hidden mosaics. This guide links them in one easy walk, with what to look for at each stop and a few common-sense rules.

The route in three stops

You need no ticket and no tour guide for this walk: just some curiosity and the habit of looking up at the façades. Here is the sequence we suggest:

1. Sant'Agostino, for its Gothic portal and the works inside.
2. The former church of Santa Maria Maddalena, an 18th-century building by Vanvitelli.
3. The Cathedral, to finish with the mosaics beneath the floor.

The order is indicative: reverse it or split it over two outings, depending on where you are and which churches are open at the time. To find your way through the old town, open a map on your phone and add the three stops before leaving: it is the easiest way to choose the most convenient loop.

Stop 1: Sant'Agostino and its Gothic portal

At Sant'Agostino, start with the entrance. The Gothic portal has a distinctly Venetian flavour and is carved in two alternating materials: red Verona marble and pale Istrian stone. Spend a few moments in front of it to take in the carved details and the contrast between the two colours: it is one of the most elegant pieces in the centre.

Inside, if the church is open, look for three things:

• an Annunciation by Palma il Giovane, a Venetian painter active in the late 16th and early 17th centuries;
• a Saint Rita by Simone Cantarini;
• the Renaissance wooden choir, fine carving to admire up close without touching.

These details come from the Pesaro feature on Finestre sull'Arte (in Italian), which also lists other places worth seeing in town.

Stop 2: Luigi Vanvitelli's Maddalena

The second stop has a completely different feel. The former church of Santa Maria Maddalena was designed by Luigi Vanvitelli, the architect best known for the Royal Palace of Caserta, and was completed around 1745. From outside, the striking element is the brick façade, restrained and orderly, a world away from the decoration of Sant'Agostino's portal.

Since its restoration the building has been used mainly as a venue for exhibitions and events. In practice, you can see the interior when it is open for an event: check what is on in town before you go. If you find it closed, the façade alone is worth the stop. For an official description see the page on italia.it.

Stop 3: the Cathedral and its mosaics

The last stop is the Cathedral, the city's main church. Its surprise lies low down: beneath the floor are ancient mosaics, visible through glass panels. It deserves time of its own, so we wrote a separate guide: read our guide to the Cathedral and its mosaics to learn what you will see, the Diocesan Museum next door and the organised visits.

Opening times, clothing and respect

• Opening times: we do not list them here. Churches open and close around Mass and other celebrations, and hours change through the year. Your reference is the website of the Archdiocese of Pesaro; for the Maddalena, look at the programme of the current exhibition or event instead.
• Clothing: go in with shoulders and legs covered. If you are coming from the beach, keep a shirt or scarf in your bag.
• During celebrations: no wandering along the aisles. Sit quietly at the back or come back once the service is over.
• Photos: ask on site whether they are allowed and leave the flash off.
• Phone: on silent, and keep your voice low even when the church seems empty.

Combining it with the rest of the centre

The three churches fit nicely into a longer day in town. You can add a stop at the Ducal Palace and Piazza del Popolo, the heart of Pesaro, or follow our full route on what to see in Pesaro in one day on foot and slot the churches in along the way. Art lovers can keep this walk for a quiet morning and save the sea for the afternoon.

Starting from Cortirola

Cortirola Luxury Apartment is inside the historic centre, so this walk needs no car and no parking: step out, follow the map and, if you like, pop back for a rest between stops. It also helps when a church is closed for a service: you can head home and try again later without wasting time.

Read next: Cortirola Luxury Apartment · Pesaro Cathedral mosaics · Ducal Palace and Piazza del Popolo · Pesaro in one day on foot ·All guides