Modena is a city and comune on the south side of the Po Valley, in the Province of Modena, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. This place has an amazing group of cathedrals such as the Piazza Grande, and the Ghirlandina Tower, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now Modena is best known to sports car fans as the birthplace of auto manufacturer Enzo Ferrari and food lovers as the source of the finest balsamic vinegar, aged for decades in wooden barrels. The most popular things in Modena are exploring the Ferrari museum and balsamic vinegar tastings. You can find many more places to visit with this list of the top attractions.
Here are the Best Tourist Attractions in Modena
1. Museo Enzo Ferrari
Museo Enzo Ferrari is a museum in Modena. It focused on the life and work of Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the Ferrari sports car marque. This museum includes two separate buildings, a former house, and a workshop that belonged to Enzo Ferrari’s father. The new building was designed using the architectural practice Future Systems. It contains a large gallery, and a permanent exhibition displaying some of the most noteworthy Ferrari’s automobiles. You are especially interested in Ferrari cars and their history. Take advantage of the shuttle bus to go directly to another Ferrari-related tourist attraction.
2. Palazzo Comunale
Palazzo Comunale is also known as the Palazzo del Popolo. This place is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Historic Centre of San Gimignano. Palazzo Comunale occupies the spot that has been the seat of government here since the 12th century. Over the centuries the building has been replaced and modified. The oldest part is the courtyard in the eastern wing, off Via Scudari, where wooden beams and a marble handrail show its medieval origins. Visitors can explore the historic rooms of the Palazzo Communale. There are 16th-century wall paintings by Niccolo dell’Abate and 18th-century wall paintings by Girolamo Vannulli.
3. Giardini Pubblici
The former ducal gardens of the Este palace are a public park. Its major attraction is the botanic garden. Started in 1758, it is filled with rare and exotic plants. In 1634, a villa was built by the architect Gaspare Vigarini for the Dukes of Este. It was originally a greenhouse and winter garden. In the 1700s it was renovated. Ferdinando Manzini painted the interior in the 19th century. However, now it is used for exhibitions by the Galleria Civica, one of Italy’s premier centers for contemporary art.
4. Torre Ghirlandina
Torre Ghirlandina or simply Ghirlandina is the e bell tower of the Cathedral of Modena, in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. This tower is the traditional symbol of Modena, which is visible from all directions outside the city. Ghirlandina was originally built for defensive purposes. These older levels are decorated with bas-reliefs of knights, ladies, monsters, sirens, and other themes. Its upper levels were added in the 13th and 14th centuries. Torre Ghirlandina is part of the UNESCO citation. Visitors can climb the tower for views of the city. There are small windows in the wire mesh, that can open to take pictures.
5. Galleria Estense
Galleria Estense is an art gallery in the heart of Modena. It is centered around the collection of the d’Este family. Galleria Estense is located on the top floor of the Palazzo dei Musei, on the St. Augustine square. This museum showcases several works ranging from fresco and oil paintings to marble, polychrome, and terracotta sculptures. It also contains musical instruments, numismatics, curios, and decorative antiques. Galleria Estense has works of Velazquez, El Greco, Correggio, Bassano, Tintoretto, Bernini, Flemish, and Tommaso da Modena.
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