Visit Modena
Modena is central in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, to the west of Bologna.
Modena has a history dating back to roman times, and was subsequently an important wealthy town during much of the 16th-18th centuries. To this day it is one if the more affluent Italian towns.
With a very attractive old town centre, Modena has three listed UNESCO world heritage sites:
- the 12th century duomo of San Geminiano is a renowned Romanesque cathedral, with some especially fine carvings both inside and outside (some of the carvings from the cathedral are now held in the attached museum)
- the Torre Ghirlandina, the impressive tower attached to the cathedral that slopes almost as much as the tower at Pisa
- Piazza Grande, the square onto which the cathedral faces, along with many other fine medieval buildings and palaces. It is at the centre of Modena and the best place to start exploring.
The most interesting part of the city to explore is north of the square, the unspoiled ancient streets leading you to the Palazzo dei Musei, which now contains an impressive collection of museums and galleries. The most interesting of these are the Museo Archeologico Ethnologico, which has many interesting archaeological artefacts; and the Galleria Estense which contains much of the Este family collection (the Este family ruled the town through its centuries of wealth).
The town is also the birthplace of Luciano Pavarotti, and the town where Ferrari and Maserati are based - sports car enthusiast can see some of the great Ferraris at their gallery, 15 km south of Modena.