Modena classic tour
HALF-DAY TOUR (2.5 HOURS)
The tour starts from Piazza Roma, where Palazzo Ducale Estense, presently seat of the Military Academy, rises. We move to Via Emilia, the main urban artery since the Roman age. Three monuments on this road have been inscribed in the world heritage list: Piazza Grande, the main square, the Cathedral and Ghirlandina, the tower that is the symbol of Modena. The Cathedral, that goes back to 1099, is a jewel of Romanesque architecture of the area of the Po valley. The façade shows the magnificent reliefs of the great Romanesque sculptor Wiligelmo. The tour goes on with the visit of Palazzo Comunale, the townhall, where the famous “Secchia Rapita” (stolen bucket) is preserved, which is mentioned in the homonymous mock-eroic epic poem by Alessandro Tassoni. The tour ends with the visit of the area of the former Jewish Ghetto, where the historical synagogue rises.
INFO: Visiting times of Palazzo Comunale From Monday to Saturday: from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m: admission free Sunday afternoon and public holydays: from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. entrance ticket € 2,00 Combined entrance ticket for Palazzo Comunale plus Torre Ghirlandina: € 3,00
FULL-DAY TOUR (5 HOURS)
Several opportunities are offered for extending the tour of Modena to a full-day excursion. You can choose among tradition, history and territory.
MODENA CITY OF ART The tour of the city can be completed with the visit of the church of San Pietro, whose plastic works are a genuine celebration of the genius of the great sculptor of Modena Antonio Begarelli and/or the magnificent church of Sant’Agostino, temple of the House of Este and splendid example of Baroque scenografic decoration. Another option is Galleria Estense. Highlights of the art collections include works by Bernini, Velázquez, Correggio, Guercino, El Greco, Guido Reni, Cosmè Tura, Dosso Dossi, Mantegna and Carpaccio, a historic library with masterpieces such as Borso d’Este’s Bible.
Galleria Estense: € 8.00 full ticket, € 2.00 from 18 to 25 years, free admission for under 18. The museum does not accept groups larger than 30 people.
MODENA LAND OF TASTE A further idea for a full-day excursion can be a food-tour through the three absolute specialties of this area: Aceto Balsamico Traditionale (Traditional Balsamic Vinegar), Parmigiano and the wine Lambrusco.
MODENA E L'ACETO BALSAMICO TRADIZIONALE
Discover Modena and visit one of its traditional balsamic vinegar producers.
MODENA LAND OF MOTORS
A further opportunity for a full-day tour is offered by the several collections and places of production of motors. Among the numerous mechanical factories, race tracks, museums and private collections, some deserve a special mention: the legendary Galleria Ferrari in Maranello, the fascinating collection of historical car and motorcycles Umberto Panini and the house of Enzo Ferrari in Modena, recently opened.