Picture 1 : The Cathedral
Picture 2: The arcades.
Picture 3: Details from the Cathedral.
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Modena
Modena (then Mutina) was proclaimed a Roman colony in 183 B.C. and has been since a lively city. Due to its strategic geographical position, in a flatland quite close to several amusing cities, such as Florence, Bologna, Milano, Parma, Venice, it is a good starting point for daytrips or longer stays.
The city itself has a sound historical tradition and heritage: its cup of tea is the 12-century Cathedral with its leaning tower Ghirlandina (UNESCO World Heritage); but there is more to see: the Estense Gallery, several churches, museums and buildings, the characteristic arcades.
In Modena you can stroll in the city centre, going shopping, visiting the beautiful food market, or you can go for a walk or some activity in the parks; you can have meals with friends enjoying the typical Emilia's cousine, such as lasagne, tagliatelle, gnocco fritto or tigelle, balsamic vinegar, and a glass of Lambrusco. Concerts, ballets and plays are regularly offered in the city's theatres (Storchi, delle Passioni, Michelangelo), the most ancient of which, Teatro Comunale, bears the name of Modena's most famous citizen Luciano Pavarotti.
For those who are in love with Ferrari cars and posh cars there is a lot to see in the so-called Motor Valley, as the Ferrari museum in Maranello.
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Where to sleep
Info
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Where to eat
Istitutional info - Gusta Modena
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What to see
The magnificent 12th-century Cathedral at Modena, the work of two great artists (Lanfranco and Wiligelmus), is a supreme example of early Romanesque art. With its piazza and soaring tower, the Ghirlandina, it testifies to the faith of its builders and the power of the Canossa dynasty who commissioned it. It is been awarded the Unesco World Heritage title (source: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/827). The Cathedral lies on the main square of the town, Piazza Grande, which also hosts the City Hall, a medieval building. Inside it, the Secchia Rapita (Stolen Bucklet) is worth a visit. It is a symbol of the long-term rivalry between Modena and Bologna people, stolen after the battle of Zappolino in 1325. Art lovers will find interesting paintings in the S. Agostino Church (Begarelli, Tommaso da Modena), in the Palazzo dei Musei (Museum Palace), in the Modern Art Gallery. Car enthusiasts will be able to visit the Ferrari museum in Maranello and the Enzo Ferrari House Museum in Modena.
Download the Welcome to Modena brochure here [pdf]
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