The Carlo Urbani Tourist Center in Monte San Vito is much more than a simple visitor center: it is a place that encompasses centuries of history and pays homage to a heroic figure of our time.

The History of the Building

The building that now houses the center has had three distinct lives. It was originally conceived as a church for the Cistercian monastery (now Palazzo Cavallari), but its construction was never completed, as evidenced by the remains of a rounded apse. In the early 20th century, the building was transformed into an agricultural consortium, becoming a key point of reference for local farmers, who brought their grain there. Finally, in 2006, it was completely renovated and redeveloped to become the modern tourist center we know today. During the restoration, fascinating rooms were discovered, such as the Sala delle Barelle, with its supporting arches, and the Sala del Grano, which recalls its agricultural past.

The center is named after Carlo Urbani, a doctor from Castelplanio (Ancona, Italy) in the Marche region who specialized in infectious diseases. His life was an example of dedication and altruism. After working in countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam, he became president of Doctors Without Borders. He was the one to accept the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the organization. In 2003, while working for the World Health Organization in Vietnam, he was the first to identify and raise the alarm about severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Sadly, he himself fell ill and died from the virus, sacrificing his life to save the lives of countless others.

The Carlo Urbani Tourist Center is therefore a place of service and remembrance, combining modern functionality with the memory of local history and a gesture of global heroism.