Pesaro
ancient Pisaurum, a town of Italy, on the right bank of the Foglia, here crossed by a bridge of Trajan's age, 1 mile from the Adriatic and 37 miles N.
W. of Ancona. Its streets are broad, and adorned with palaces and churches, and the town is surrounded with walls and defended by a citadel (1474) and a fort. It is a bishop's seat; there are two cathedrals, new and old. Silks, pottery, iron, and leather are manufactured; and trade is carried on in wine, olive oil, and fruits. The city is associated with the name of Tasso, some of his MSS. being preserved in one of the town museums; it is also the birthplace of Rossini.
Made a Roman colony in 184 в. c., it was destroyed by the Goths; then, having been rebuilt by Belisarius, it became one of the Pentapolis. From 755 to 1285 it belonged to the Popes, then to the Malatestas till 1445, then to the Sforzas and Delle Roveres, in 1631 again to the Popes, and finally in 1860 to Italy. Pop. of town (1915) 28,483. Of the department of Pesaro and Urbine, 270,696.