The origins of the town's name are uncertain: there are several currents of thought, one of the most credible attests that it derives from Latin "Mons Avium" as meaning "the Bird's Mountain". Municipality in the province of Pesaro-Urbino, on the border with the province of Ancona, Mondavio is a hilly village situated along the Cesano and Metauro, not far from the sea. Its location offers a superb views over the surrounding territory which includes the Mount Catria and the Nerone. The municipality, in addition to the main centre, is comprised of various districts. It old center is characterized by medieval walls and features several historical and artistic remains.
The town is mentioned in a document of the XII century, in which it received the proclaim of capital of the Vicariate, and was subjected, over the centuries, to the Malatesta Family, to Antonio Piccolomini - the nephew of Pope Pius II - to the Della Rovere - under whose domain the town experienced a period of great development, to the Medici and to the city of Fano. In the second half of the XV century, the nearby lands were the scenario of the clash between Federico da Montefeltro and Sigismondo Malatesta. After the defeat of the Malatesta, Mondavio was assigned to the direct control of the Papal States.

Attractions:
- the Church of San Francesco, built in the late XIII century and has been renovated several times. The current structure is the result of a refurbishment of an extremely simple brick façade building with XVIII century Baroque decorative elements. It is flanked by a very slim Bell Tower;
- the XIV century Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Paterniano, which restored in the XVI century to a design of the architect Genga. It was enlarged in the XVIII century;
- the former Capuchin Monastery with a small connecting church, built on the road to Orciano. Today the halls of the monastery host important conferences;
- the Church of Santa Maria della Quercia, inside which are preserved several valuable frescoes;
- the Fortress, which was built in the second half of the XV century on the remains of a previous building, designed by the Martini and by will of Giovanni Della Rovere. It is characterized by a polygonal shaped keep with battlements and embrasures. The property is still in excellent conditions as it had never been attacked over the centuries. Today it is an exhibition centre;
- the Apollo Theater, built in the late XVIII century, within the complex of the Church of San Filippo Neri, and renovated in the late XIX century;
- the Town Hall, which preserves inside a XIV century altarpiece depicting the Madonna and Child by Carlo da Camerino;
- the Civic Museum.