Modena Attractions
The provincial capital of Modena, lies between the rivers Secchia and Panaro near the southern edge of the north Italian plain on the Via Emilia. It is an important commercial and industrial center and has a university.
The town center has wide arcaded streets and large squares, and the old fortifications have given place to beautiful avenues and gardens.
History
Originally a Celtic settlement of the Boii, the town, lying astride the ancient Via Aemilia, became a Roman colony in 183 B.C. under the name of Mutina. In 1288 it came into the hands of the house of Este, who acquired the ducal title in 1452 and remained rulers of Modena until 1796.
The motor-car manufacturer Enzo Ferrari was born in Modena in 1898.
The town center has wide arcaded streets and large squares, and the old fortifications have given place to beautiful avenues and gardens.
History
Originally a Celtic settlement of the Boii, the town, lying astride the ancient Via Aemilia, became a Roman colony in 183 B.C. under the name of Mutina. In 1288 it came into the hands of the house of Este, who acquired the ducal title in 1452 and remained rulers of Modena until 1796.
The motor-car manufacturer Enzo Ferrari was born in Modena in 1898.
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Cathedral
The Romanesque Cathedral of Modena contains noteworthy sculptures both inside and out. Also impressive is the 13th C rose window.
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Este Library
The Este Library contains more than 380,000 books and hundreds of important manuscripts.
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Este Picture Gallery
The Este Picture Gallery contains a solid collection of Emilian and Tuscan art, particularly from the 15th C.
Giardini Pubblici
Northeast of the Palazzo in Modena are the palace gardens, today a public park (Giardini Pubblici), with a botanic garden. Notable is a 17th century villa, built to a plan by the famous architect Gaspare Vigarini for the dukes of Este. The villa, a long building, the central part of which is crowned by an octagonal domed tower has been used for exhibitions for many years.
Museo Lapidario del Duomo
On the north side of the cathedral stands the Museo Lapidario del Duomo, which has Romanesque metopes from the cathedral roof.
Palazzo Ducale
In the north of the old town of Modena in Piazza Roma, about 500m/550yd northeast of the cathedral, rises the massive Palazzo Ducale, begun in 1634 in accordance with a plan by Bartolomeo Avanzini, an excellent example of secular architecture of the 17th century. The balustrade is decorated with numerous figures, depicting the virtues and figures of mythology; the doorway is flanked by massive figures of Hercule and Aemilius Lepidus. The Palazzo Ducale is now a military academy and is not open to the public.
Palazzo dei Musei
The Palazzo dei Musei, along Via Emilia, houses the municipal collections.
In the courtyard is the Museo Lapidario with Roman finds including sarcophagi.
On the ground floor the Museo Civico del Risorgimento contains mementos of the fight for freedom in the 19th century.
In the courtyard is the Museo Lapidario with Roman finds including sarcophagi.
On the ground floor the Museo Civico del Risorgimento contains mementos of the fight for freedom in the 19th century.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 13:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Liberation Day - Italy (April 25)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Liberation Day - Italy (April 25)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Ristorante Lauro
Even car fanatics have to eat. You can't get bad food in Italy, so the trick is to find a restaurant with a congenial atmosphere. Lauro is run by sports car fanatics; the walls are covered with old racing photographs and other car memorabilia. All of the added decorum takes advantage of the restaurant's location in downtown Modena, the heart of Ferrai-Maserati-Lamborghini country.
San Giovanni Battista
Northwest of the cathedral, along Via Emilia, is the Piazza Matteotti, a large square on the west side of which, at the corner of Via Emilia, stands the church of San Giovanni Battista, a plain domed building (1730) containing, to the left of the high altar, a beautifully painted terracotta of the "Lamentation" by Mazzoni (1477-80).
Viale Fontanelli (Viale Berengario)
The flea markets, Viale Fontanelli and Viale Berengario, are open every Monday.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 13:00 |
Modena Surroundings
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Abbazia di Nonantola, Italy
The history Abbazia di Nonantola dates to the 8th C but the fine Romanesque structure seen today was created in the 12th C.
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