Modena is so fascinating that its beauty charmed even the Unesco. In fact, the Cathedral, the Ghirlandina tower and Piazza Grande – three extraordinary beauties within a few meters’ distance – have been in the World Heritage List since 1997. This is one of the reasons why Modena is a town of Culture. Otherwise, Modena is universally known for its excellent food and wine, such as balsamic vinegar, Lambrusco wine, Parmigiano cheese or typical local salami. But Modena is also world-famous for its car-making factories. Each year Ferrari and Maserati are visited by millions of car lovers coming from all over the planet, as far as Japan.
Modena, the city of art, right in the heart of the Duchy of the Este has architectural jewels that are admired the world over. The Cathedral, which, with its campanile, the Torre Ghirlandina, and Piazza Grande was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, is a masterpiece of the Italian Romanesque, and one of the best-preserved examples in Europe.
Not far from the cathedral, in the heart of the old historic centre, stands the Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace), now the headquarters of the Military Academy. This fine building once housed the Estense court, which was moved here from Ferrara in 1598. The collections housed in the Estense Art Gallery and Library house priceless works of art, including a portrait of Duke Francesco I by Velasquez and the Bible of Borso d'Este, illuminated by Ferrara craftsmen in the 15C.
The characteristic porticoes shelter attractive shops and tempting venues where visitors may sample the famous and highly-prized gastronomic specialties of Modena, such as Modena's Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, and other famous local products such as tortellini, and Lambrusco wine, parmesan and raw ham…. As the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari, Modena is the home of the motor industry par excellence: the area around Modena is still home to many of the most famous and prestigious car companies in the world, such as Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Ducati as well as a formidable range of museums and private collections of vintage cars.
A city on the leading edge in every economic segment (with an impressive schedule of international trade fairs, congresses and conferences), Modena can provide its visitors with the highest quality of life. Here hospitality is the keyword. Its restaurants have excellent menus offering the typical dishes of Modena cuisine, while its shops sell top-quality products from Italy and abroad. Throughout the year, Modena has a rich, intensive cultural life, of which we cite only a few examples here; the Pavarotti & Friends concert followed by the Pavarotti International Horse-Jumping Competition, the Balsamica exhibition, the Military Band Festival, the Settimana Estense, as well as numerous trade fairs, markets and antiques exhibitions.
The Province of Modena has a great deal to offer its visitors: Nonantola and its Benedictine abbey, Sassuolo with its magnificent Ducal Palace and the Hot Springs at Salvarola, Maranello and the Ferrari works, Carpi with its huge piazza and famous knitwear factories, Vignola, famous for its cherries, the Modena Apennines.
Bologna