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Scanned tourist guide of the old Italian city of Ferrara
History of Ferrara
The first mention of the city Ferrara(Ferrara) refers to 776. It indicates that the "ducatus ferrariae" (Duchy of Ferrara), which was formerly part of the Exarchate of Ravenna, comes under the control of the Holy See. In 986, Pope John XV ceded Ferrara to the clan of Canossa, in 1115, after the death of Duchess Matilda, it became a free commune with autonomous control, although nominally remained a papal possession.
The political instability caused by the struggle of the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, in 1264 brought to power the Venetian family d "Este, headed by Obizzo II, which received legitimacy from the Holy See only in 1344 - under Margrave Obizzo III. This family turned Ferrara into an important cultural, artistic and political center, the evidence is still evident today.
The long reign of d "Este ended at the moment when the last Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso II (1553-1597), who did not receive direct inheritance rights, had to cede the duchy to the Papal State according to the "transfer edict", which excluded the inheritance of papal fiefs by illegitimate descendants. In 1598, the city became a papal possession and remained so until the Napoleonic wars (1796-1815), after which it returned to the Papal States.
On March 18, 1860, according to the results of the plebiscite, Ferrara became part of the united Kingdom of Italy. During the period of fascism, the city served as the citadel of the regime, but during the Second World War it became one of the main centers of the resistance of the partisans, while suffering great damage from the bombing.
In 1995, UNESCO awarded Ferrara, as a center of the Renaissance, the honorary title of "Cultural Heritage of Humanity", in 1999 it received another recognition as "the settlement of the Po Delta" and "the pearl of the Este family".
The bell tower of the Cathedral of Ferrara (pictured left).
Avenue of the Martyrs of Freedom (pictured right).
(Corso Martiri della Liberta), formerly called Rome Avenue, and in the old days - Commune Square. The modern name of the street reflects a historical fact: on the night of November 14-15, 1943, punitive fascist detachments (squadrons) killed eleven Ferraras.
The avenue is an important city artery, where numerous monuments that create the historical image of the city are located: the Castle, the Communal Theatre, the Municipal Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and the Cathedral.
Castle d'Este
Modern look Castle d'Este(Castello Estense di Ferrara) is the result of several stages of construction that have changed its original core. The very first building dates back to the 13th century: it was a powerful watchtower that towered over the northern wall and was connected to the Lion's Gate, behind which there was a settlement (borgo).
The second stage of construction is marked by the exact date - September 29, 1385. This is the feast of St. Michael, from which the historical name of the castle comes. The architect Bartolino da Novara, commissioned by the Margrave Nicolò II, designed the building with four imposing towers: dei Leoni (Lion's, in the northeast), Santa Caterina (in the northwest), Marchesana (in the southeast) and San Paolo (in the southwest). High walls were built between the towers, reinforced with additional extensions to protect the entrances and ending in crenellated consoles; they have not been preserved.
In 1476, during an attempted coup d'état, the family of Duke Ercole I took refuge in the castle. Subsequently, he decided to turn the castle from a defensive fortress into the residence of his court. He entrusted this task to the brilliant Ferrara architect Biagio Rossetti. The latter connected the Municipal Palace with the castle by a covered passage, called the "covered castle path".
The next change in architecture took place under Duke Ercole II (reigned 1534-1559), who commissioned the architects Girolamo da Capri and Alberto Schiatti to give the castle the look we see today. The old jagged completion of the walls was replaced by rows of balconies, another floor was built on, open loggias were arranged on the towers as an architectural completion.
St. Paul's Tower in Castello Estenz (pictured left).
Castle of the Dukes d "Este Castello Estenz, courtyard of the castle (pictured right).
After passing through the fence with marble stairs - the only architectural addition made during the period of papal rule (1598-1859), we find ourselves in a square courtyard in the style of the Renaissance. The covered gallery, consisting of terracotta arches on stone columns, was conceived by Duke Ercole I, who wished to turn this interior space into a real front courtyard (court d'honneur).
If you enter inside from the Castle Square (Piazza Castello), then on the right you will see Duke's kitchens built at the beginning of the 16th century. under Duke Alfonso I. They are covered with a drain with a primer on the vaults. Traces of sewage reservoirs are visible on the floor, on the northern wall of the hall there was a fireplace (not preserved), which is confirmed by the windows that served to supply air.
One of the most curious places of the castle - located in a dungeon near the Lion Tower dungeons, where some of the "wonderful" characters of the Este court languished. Among them, the lovers Ugo and Parisin are remembered - the brother and wife of Margrave Nicolo III, as well as Don Giulio and Don Ferrante, brothers of Duke Alfonso I, accused of attempting on his life.
In the mezzanine are located chambers and salons with wall paintings of true beauty. The most famous of them are: “The Room of the Bacchanalia” (Camerino dei Bacanali) by Alfonso II, the chapel of Renata of France, the walls of which are covered with multi-colored marble, the hanging garden, called the Orange Garden or the Garden of the Duchess, which offers an impressive panorama of the city, the hall and salon of games, the hall of Aurora , the decoration of which is attributed to Sebastiano Filippi, nicknamed Bastianino and Ludovico Settevecchi (dating from the last quarter of the 16th century), the "Hall of Poisons", arranged during the Fascist period, the painting of which reflects the ideals of the regime.
There are also other curious rooms: the “Patience Apartments”, so named for the painting dedicated to this virtue (built under Ercole II), the entrance hall and the Government Hall with a carefully designed ceiling with caissons, the “Hall of Transfer”, the decor of which dates back to 1830, hall of landscapes with paintings 2nd floor. 18th and 19th centuries, "Hall of Geography", where topographic maps are kept, the Armorial Hall and the Hall of the Communes.
Chapel of St. Julian(San Giuliano) on the Republic Square, built in 1405, has a late Gothic facade with a high relief "St. Julian the inn killing his parents."
The moat and suspension bridge of the Estenze Castle, the Lion Tower of the Estenze Castle (pictured left).
St. Julian's Chapel of San Giuliano, courtyard of the Communal Theater (pictured right).
Communal theater
Communal theater(Teatro Comunale) is located opposite the castle on the corner of Giovecca Avenue and Martiri della Liberta (Martyrs of Liberty) Avenue. The theater was opened on September 2, 1798, on the initiative of Legate Cardinal Borghese, who entrusted its construction to the architects Antonio Foschini and Cosimo Morelli. Of great value is the Foschini Rotunda, which consists of an elliptical patio where carriages were once placed. Inside, from the spacious vestibule rises the main staircase leading to the basement, girded with five rows of boxes.
Savonarola Square
Savonarola Square(Piazza Savonarola) is an extension of the Avenue of the Martyrs of Liberty. Rising in the square Municipal Palace with a 16th-century portico called the "Loggia of Dressing Rooms" (Loggia dei Camerini), and a "roofed castle path" linking the palace to the castle on the opposite side.
In the center - statue of Girolamo Savonarola the work of Stefano Galetti (1857), which gave the square its name. Savonarola, a Dominican friar from Ferrara, is shown with uplifted hands and a stern face, as if delivering one of his famous scourging sermons. On a pedestal of white marble, a pile of firewood is depicted, reminiscent of his martyrdom in Florence on May 28, 1498.
Piazza Savonarola, Monument to Girolamo Savonarola, Municipal Palace (pictured left).
Horse Arch, views of the Municipal Square in Verona (pictured right).
Municipal Palace
Municipal Palace(Palazzo Municipale) it originally served as the residence of the Este, the construction of which began in 1245. Part of the facade, stretching along the west side of the Avenue of the Martyrs of Liberty to the "Horse Arch", was rebuilt in 1738 by the architects Angelo and Francesco Santini. The other part, located opposite the cathedral, was built in 1925-1927. in neo-Gothic style and culminates in a tower called the “Tower of Victory”, since a monument was erected there in honor of the victory at Piave by Arrigo Minerbi.
On the sides of the "Arch of the Horse", which connects the Avenue of the Martyrs of Liberty with the Piazza Municipality, there are columns, the design of which is attributed to Leon Battasta Alberti. They contain statues of Margrave Niccolò III on horseback and Duke Borso on the throne. These are copies made in 1927 to replace the originals destroyed during the French invasion in 1796.
From the "Horse Arch" you can go to municipal square(Piazza Municipale) - formerly it was the courtyard of the ducal palace, from where the main staircase goes up, built in 1481 according to the project of Pietro Benvenuto degli Ordini with a vaulted roof and a dome over the platform in the center, all on corrugated columns and large arches.
Inside the Municipal Palace there are rooms of artistic interest, such as: the Arenarium Hall (municipality meetings), decorated with frescoes by Achille Funi in 1934-1938, the hall of memorial plaques (“Lapidi”), dedicated to the memory of those who died for their homeland, the Giunta hall with a valuable ceiling of the 19th century, the salon of the Plebiscite, where it was decided to join the kingdom of Italy, the Small Room (“stanza”) of the duchesses, the decor of which was made in the famous workshop of Filippi in the 2nd floor. 16th century, Gilded stanza ("Dorata") with a wooden ceiling of the 15th century. and, finally, the Tapestry Station, where valuable Flemish tapestries are kept.
Archbishop's Palace
Archbishop's Palace(Palazzo Archiepiscopale), located on a straight section of the Avenue of the Martyrs of Liberty opposite the Municipal Palace. It was built in 1718-1720. commissioned by Cardinal Ruffo and designed by Tommaso Mattei, who completely rebuilt the 13th century palace that used to stand here (with changes made in the 1st half of the 15th century). Its composition, divided into a central body and two side bays, is given a solemn look by an impressive marble portal topped with a balcony with a window and a door.
Cathedral of Ferrara (pictured left).
Sculptural decorations and the entrance portico of the Ferrara Cathedral (pictured right).
Cathedral
Cathedral(Cattedrale di Ferrara), dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and St. George - the patron saint of the city. The facade of the cathedral combines various steels: Romanesque (1135), attributed to the architect Nikolaus, with one row of loggias with three gates, and Gothic, dating back to the middle of the 12th century. and to the beginning of the XIV. The façade consists of lancet arches with rose-shaped tricuspid windows, and a second row of light porticos. The third row is formed by loggias with deep openings, the structure is completed by three spiers with a round carved window in the center.
main portal, above which there is a lunette depicting St. George slaying a snake, is preceded by a rubbing - it is supported by two lions and Atlanteans. Upstairs, in the Loggia of Blessings, there is a statue of the Madonna and Child 1st floor. 15th century by Michele da Firenze ("from Florence"). The architrave is decorated with high reliefs depicting the Last Judgment, the work of an unknown artist of the 13th century.
On the right side of the façade above the gate is placed the "Frara Madonna" - an image of a mythical character from a legend who allegedly gave the city its name, and a niche with spiers and a statue of Alberto V d "Este, who ruled Ferrara in 1388-1393. On the left side in the wall there is a niche with a bronze bust of Pontiff Clement VIII, executed by Giorgio Albenga, commemorating the passage of Ferrara to the Papal States.
north side Cathedral with 18 arcades runs along the current street Guglielmo degli Adelardi. A long narrow street in Romanesque style leads to an arch connecting the Archbishop's Palace and the Cathedral. South side The cathedral overlooking Piazza Trento-Trieste is divided into three parts: a solid portico called the Loggia Merchai, two galleries located one above the other (in the first traces of the ancient Mezi gate are visible) and an extension of the 18th century. architect Mazzarelli, which consists of three architectural elements, ending with rectilinear tympanums.
At the entrance from Piazza Trento-Trieste is the Corridor Madonna (“Corridoyo”), the original of which, from the 15th century, is kept in the Schifanoia Palace. Semicircular apse along the south side of the cathedral, built in 1498-1500. architect Biagio Rossetti, is a high cylinder of baked clay, divided by cornices into two parts.
Majestic Bell tower, rising behind this apse, consists of four cubes standing one above the other. Its construction began in 1412 by order of Niccolo III (the project is attributed to the architect Leon Battista Alberti) and was completed in 1598. Then, during the reign of Alfonso II, the fourth row was also built, completing the structure, but there was still no modern completion - the dome, erected in 1790 according to a wooden model owned by Antonio Foschini and Giovanni Benetti (the model is kept in the museum of the cathedral)
Through one of the three main entrances we get into the atrium, which is a vast rectangular space, then we enter the cathedral, divided into three naves. In the side naves there are 14 chapels, to which one more adjoins, to the left of the apse. The cathedral contains important evidence necessary for the reconstruction of the artistic history of the city, among which is the apse zakomara with frescoes by Sebastiano Filippi (1578-1580), depicting the Last Judgment in the style of Michelangelo.
Initially, the space of the cathedral was divided into five naves with vaulted ceilings. The modern structure is the result of a restoration begun in 1710 by Francesco Mazzarelli.
Southern and northern facades of the Ferrara Cathedral (pictured left).
Church of St. Roman, Ferrara Cathedral Museum (pictured right).
Church of St. Roman, Cathedral Museum
IN Church of St. Roman located Cathedral Museum(Museo della Cattedrale). It stands against the south wall of the cathedral on the corner of San Romane street. The original building dates back to the 10th century, later it was rebuilt several times, and the most significant reconstruction took place in 1754. As a church, it was later abolished and used for various purposes, but now it houses the cathedral museum, which stores very valuable religious works.
Among them: an ante organ made by Cosme Tura, sculptures of the 13th century. depicting agricultural work in different months, the statue of the Madonna Melograno (“with a pomegranate”) by Jacopo della Quercia, the books of the “Atlantic Chant”, illustrated with miniatures, Flemish tapestries.
The inner courtyard adjoining the church is surrounded by marble arcades supported by columns with capitals of Byzantine or Romanesque origin.
Trento Trieste Square
Trento Trieste Square(Piazza Trento-Trieste) (formerly Piazza Grande, San Crispino, delle Erbe). Its origin dates back to the 10th century. The square was formed on the spot where the walls of the city used to pass, later dismantled to make room for the new cathedral.
Power was concentrated on this square, which was reflected in the monuments surrounding it: the cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace, the Church of San Romano, the Palace of Justice (rebuilt in the 50s of the XX century) and the Loggia of Notaries (now the Clock Tower), the Palace of the Duke ( now the Municipal Palace) and the chapel of San Crispino (now there is a bookstore).
Even today, this square is very popular with the inhabitants of Ferrara, and on Fridays the city market opens here.
Piazza Trento-Trieste, tourist market in Ferrara (pictured left).
Church of San Domenico, Palazzo Bentivoglio (pictured right).
Garibaldi and Aldigieri streets, Sacrati Square
Passing through the charming Municipal Square, we find ourselves on via Garibaldi(Via Giuseppe Garibaldi) - a straight street with numerous shopping establishments. Crossing it Spadari street leads to Sakrati square(Piazza Sacrati), where rises Church of San Domenico(Chiesa di San Domenico) (St. Dominic). It was built in 1710-1726. architect Vincenzo Santini on the site of a 13th-century church oriented in the opposite direction. In the side chapels of the single-nave interior space there are works by the authors of the 17th-18th centuries.
Returning to the main street, we will see Bentivoglio Palace(Palazzo Bentivoglio), from the original appearance of which the Roman Mannerist facade has been preserved.
On Aldigieri street(Via Aldighieri), perpendicular to Via Garibaldi, is Church of San Biagio(Chiesa di San Biagio) (St. Blaise), substantially rebuilt in the XIX-XX centuries. In this church, in the chapel of the XVIII century. a particle of the relics of this saint is kept - a healer, according to tradition, from diseases of the throat. In the crypt are the burial places of Aldigieri, members of an old Ferrara family, from one of which, Cacchagvidy, Dante's surname, Alighieri (his great-great-grandfather), comes from.
On the right side of Via Garibaldi, before the intersection with Via Boccacanale di Santo Stefano, there are several streets. In the Middle Ages, the Boccacanal served as the main canal of the city, along which beautiful buildings appeared, such as the charming chiny's mansion(Casa Cini).
In front of this house Church of St. Stephen, whose facade (XV century) is decorated with terracotta cornices and carved windows. Returning to Via Garibaldi or Via Cortevecchia adjoining it, we will again find ourselves in the city center.
Port Reno Avenue and Volte Street
On the Avenue Corso Porta Reno(Corso Porta Reno) clock towers two side arches rise. On this street you can admire Church of San Paolo(Chiesa di San Paolo) (St. Apostle Paul) X c. In 1570 it was destroyed by an earthquake, then Alberto Schiatti restored it in the Renaissance style. Inside the temple, which has the shape of a Latin cross, there are valuable works of Ferrara artists who worked at the turn of the 16th-17th centuries.
Nearby is a former monastery with two courtyards. In the left rises the ancient leuti tower- the only surviving of the many towers of the medieval city.
Crosses Porta Reno Street Volte street(Via delle Volte) ("under the arches") - an important artery of the old river city, around which in the VIII-IX centuries. Ferrara grew up. Previously, service buildings of houses on the Carlo-Mayr-Ripagrande axis came out onto it, clinging to the dam on one of the branches of the mouth of the Po (subsequently buried in an underground channel). This street is characterized by the development of the upper registers: the now visible vaults connected warehouses on the river bank with shops and workshops located at a distance from it.
Travallo Square and San Romano Street
Following along Porta Reno street, we will exit at Travallo square(Piazza del Travaglio) (“torment”), so named because in the Middle Ages executions were carried out here, and to Pavlova Zastava(Porta Paula) (Porta Paola), built in 1612 according to the project of Giovan Battista Aleotti in honor of Pope Paul V.
This gate served as the southern border of the old city, and now connects with it a later urban extension, around Bologna Street, from where they are clearly visible.
San Romano street(Via S. Romano) is parallel to Porta Reno and leads to Piazza Travaglio, from which it turns to Piazza Trento-Trieste. This street has a typical medieval appearance - long, narrow, with porticos. Via San Romano is now home to many commercial outlets due to its central location in the city.
Church of St. Paul of San Paolo in Ferrara (pictured left).
Via Volta, Via Mazzini, synagogue in the old ghetto in Ferrara (pictured right).
Mazzini, Saraceno and Borgo di Sotto streets
As an important trading artery, via Mazzini(Via Giuseppe Mazzini) is connected to a network of streets very busy in the distant and recent past. At number 95 there is a building on it three synagogues- the only survivor, with the Jewish Museum and a plaque in memory of the victims of the Second World War.
The stay of Jews in Ferrara has deep roots: in the 15th century. the dukes d "Este favorably received the community. Local ghetto arose between 1624 and 1627. under papal rule. It was a territory closed with bars, including the modern streets of Mazzini, Vignatallita, Vittoria and the small Piazza Lampronti (the bars were only demolished in 1848).
Then we come to the intersection with the street Schienze (“sciences”), where the street Gioco del Pallone also joins. Here it is Palace of Paradiso(Residenza Paradiso) ("paradiso"), which now houses a communal library named after Ariosto. The majestic building was built in 1391 by order of Alberto V d "Este, who wished to have a place to rest. Since 1567, the university has been located here, and since 1729, the communal library. Throughout its long history, the palazzo has been rebuilt several times - its appearance has also changed We can see here the Anatomical Theater of the 18th century and the tomb of Ariosto, moved here in 1801.
The streets adjacent to the Paradiso Palace are typical of a medieval city. They contain interesting architectural monuments, such as: Ariosto's mansion(Casa degli Ariosto) on via Gioko del Pallone, no. 29-31, Church of St. Gregory And house Stella dei Tolomei(“star of the Ptolemies”), called Assassino (“killer's house”) - an example of a medieval aristocratic dwelling.
Mazzini Street, the second section of which is called Saraceno street, is included in the grid of streets that make up the "castrum", or the original core of the city in the shape of a horseshoe. Its perimeter is formed by Belfiore Street, Borgo di Sotto, Gisilieri.
On Borgo di Sotto street(Via Borgo di Sotto) stands Chapel of the Annunciation(Oratorio dell "Annunziata). In the Middle Ages, it belonged to the Brotherhood of Death, whose task was a worthy burial of the poor. On the facade, rebuilt in the 17th century by Giovan Battista Aleotti, there was not a trace of the buildings of the 14th century.
Palace of Palazzo Paradiso, Church of St. Gregory (pictured left).
Church of Santa Maria y Broda, Schifanoia Palace, Church of Santa Libera and the Lapidarium Museum (pictured right).
Streets of Scandiana and Camposabionario
On Skandiana street(Via Scandiana) is located Church of Santa Maria in Vado(Basilica Santa Maria in Vado) ("at the ford"). Only one side of the temple opens into this street, while you can enter the church only from Borgo Vado street - there was a ford through one of the many canals that crossed this area before, when the core of the city was formed on the banks of the Po.
The church was founded in 1171. In the early years of the 16th century. designed by the architect Biagio Rossetti, its size has increased significantly, and, despite subsequent reconstructions, it has retained the external forms of the 16th century, while its three-nave interior space has changed significantly in the 17th century.
On the same street, Skandiana rises Palace of Scythanoia(Palazzo Schifanoia) ("Throw sadness") - the joy of the Dukes of Este, and now the seat City Museum of Old Art.
The first building on this site dates back to 1385, when Margrave Albert d'Este ordered a hunting lodge to be built here. It was later expanded and turned into a place for entertainment. In 1465, under the Duke of Borso d'Este, one floor was added, and in 1493, after being extended by seven meters according to the project of Biagio Rossetti, the palace acquired a modern look. Its façade is adorned with a majestic marble portal framing the entrance.
Inside, in the halls of the XIV century, located in the wings of the palace, the museum exposition begins, where collections of numismatics, ceramics, ivory, bronzes and ancient manuscripts with miniatures are stored. The palace is famous salon months(dei Mesi), which houses a cycle of paintings commissioned by the Duke of Borso and executed by the masters of the Ferrara School - Ercole de Roberti, Francesco del Cossa and Cosme Tura.
They frescoed the walls, dividing them into three horizontal stripes: "divine", which depicts the triumph of the deity of a particular month; middle, where the corresponding sign of the zodiac is placed; the lower one, where the duke, the patron of the project, is glorified. In the stanza adjacent to the salon, called the “hall of virtues” or “stucco hall”, the ceiling with caissons and the upper part of the walls are richly decorated. There are images of the deeds of the Este family, made by the artist Domenico di Paris in the 2nd floor. 15th century
Church of Santa Libera, where is now located City Museum of Stone Inscriptions(Civico Lapidario) (Lapidarium), located on Camposabionario street(Via Campo Sabbionario). In its interior there are sarcophagi, gravestone inscriptions and monuments, steles made mostly in the town of Vogenta - "Vicus Habencia" of the ancient Roman era, located 13 km from Ferrara. Of particular interest are the sarcophagi of Annia Faustina and the baby Neon (3rd century AD).
XX September Street and Gambone Lane
Via Camposabionario, which intersects Via Carlo Mayr, you can get off at XX September street(Via XX Settembre), wide and spacious as opposed to the narrow and cramped streets of the city center. She is adorned perspective(Prospettiva), built in 1776.
At number 152 stands here Biagio Rossetti's house(architect-urbanist, who lived in 1447-1516). Its rectangular terracotta façade with double-leaf windows is the prototype of the architecture of the Ferrara houses. It now houses the first in Italy Museum of Architecture.
Nearby you can admire the charming Palace of Ludovico Maura("Moro") aka National Archaeological Museum(Museo Archeologico Nazionale). It is also designed by Biagio Rossetti. The terracotta façade with a portal through which one can pass into the inner front yard (court d'honneur) with covered marble galleries on both sides gives a special value to the palace. The architectural complex is completed by an elegant terracotta cornice. A large Renaissance garden is laid out near the southern gallery, and in the free space on the eastern side there is an exposition of funerary signs from the necropolis of Spina, an ancient Etruscan trading city (6th century BC - 1st century AD) in the Trebba valleys and Pega near present-day Comacchio (about 50 km from Ferrara).
The halls of the lower floor are filled with the most valuable iconographic splendor - Treasury of Garofalo where a frescoed plafond reproduces false balconies. There you can see the courtiers, immersed in a luxurious garden. The school of the painter Garofalo owns two more richly decorated ceilings. They are located in the east wing of the building and represent the life of St. Joseph and the stories associated with the sibyls and prophets. In the mezzanine stanzas, where the National Archaeological Museum is located, there are significant collections of finds from the necropolis and dwellings of Spina.
Out on the street XX September Lane Gambone(Via del Gambone), where are located church and monastery of St. Anthony "in Polesine"(San Antonio in Polesine). The first monastery appeared here in 1294, and in the XV century. it was expanded. Despite subsequent distortions, the church retained its original appearance, but its interior was redesigned in the Baroque style. The reclusive charter of the Benedictine nuns does not allow visitors to see all the interior rooms, but you can come to regular church services and visit the choirs of nuns with numerous decorations of the 14th century. Giotto's school and some rooms next to the courtyard.
Returning to Via XX September, at the intersection with Via Giara, you can go to Via Porta San Pietro, then Via Saraceno and Via Mazzini. The latter will again take us to the square of Trento-Trieste.
House of Biagio Rossetti, Palace of Ludovico Moro and the Archaeological Museum (pictured left).
Monastery of St. Anthony of San Antonio in Polesine (pictured right).
Streets of Bersaglieri del Po and Cairoli
Trading Bersaglieri del Po street(Via Bersaglieri del Po) starts from the southeastern edge of the cathedral and is an important artery: streets with Renaissance palaces of great architectural value flock to it. One of them - via Cairoli(Via Cairoli), where the magnificent Palace of Muzzarelli Crema middle of the 15th century And trotti palace(Palazzo Trotti) with a facade of the XVI century, decorated with a monumental marble portal. In the halls of Garofalo, restored in 2007, there is a painting cycle of very considerable interest.
On Via Voltapaletto, which intersects with Via Bersaglieri del Po, rises Palace of Bevilacqua-Costabili(Palazzo Bevilacqua Costabili), whose magnificent facade is decorated with "trophies", busts, cartouches with mottos made of stone and baked clay in the Roman Mannerist style of the mid-16th century.
On Via Terranuova, lateral to Voltapaletto, and further on Via Savonarola (former Via San Francesco) is located Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi(Basilica di San Francesco), considered one of the main religious buildings of the Este era. Construction began in 1494, designed by Biagio Rossetti, and it has retained its original proportions to this day. The facade, now having three divisions, corresponding to the three-nave interior space in the form of a Latin cross.
Savonarola Street is "dotted" with valuable architectural monuments. Here it is Palace of Renata of France(Palazzo di Renata di Francia), formerly Palace d "Este (now university), which received its name from the wife of Duke Ercole II. The building, built in 1475 according to the project of Pietro Benvenuto degli Ordini, in the XVIII century. underwent several alterations that changed its original proportions.
Opposite rises Romea's house(Casa Romei) is the name of the owner who decided to build it in 1445. Now it houses a collection of frescoes and marbles from many city buildings. 15th century mansion retained its original appearance: the court d'honneur is surrounded by two covered galleries, located one above the other, inside which the interiors develop. Of particular interest are the cycle of paintings from the end of the 15th century, located in the lower gallery, in the Hall of the Sibyls and Prophets, and the decorations of some stations of the 2nd floor in the upper gallery. 16th century, attributed to the workshop of the Filippi family.
Monastery in honor of the body of the Lord(Monastero dei Corpus Domini) (Orders of Clarisse) with crypts of the d "Este family is a complex architectural ensemble between the streets of Praizolo, Pergolato, Savonarola and Campofranco. The decorations of the terracotta portal resemble the Renaissance style (the interior of the ensemble was redone in 1770 by Antonio Foschini). Floor in the choirs of the church it is covered with memorial plaques in honor of the famous representatives of the house d "Este: Margraves Nicolo III and Leonello, Dukes Ercole I with his wife Eleanor of Aragon, Alfonso I with his wife Lucrezia Borgia, Ercole II, Alfonso II with one of his wives.
Palazzo Trotti Palace, Bevilacqua-Costabili Palace (pictured left).
Palace of Renata of France, the house of Romea and the museum of frescoes, the monastery of the Body of the Lord (pictured right).
Cisterna del Follo and Corso Giovecca
Continuing along Savonarola Street, we exit to Cisterna del Follo street(Via Cisterna del Follo), where it is located Bonacossi Palace(Palazzo Bonacossi) (now there is the Directorate of the city's museums of old art). The first version of the palace was built in 1464, then, in the XVI-XVIII centuries, the palace was significantly rebuilt and expanded. You can visit the permanent exhibition of the collection of Cardinal Riminaldi, a diligent collector of the 18th century, located in it.
Having passed along one of the side streets of Cisterna del Follo - along the streets of Hugo Bassi or Carlo Caneva - we exit to avenue Corso Giovecca(Corso della Giovecca), ending in the northeast of the so-called. perspective- choreographic creation of the architect of the XVIII century. Mazzarelli.
This important city artery is filled with remarkable architectural evidence of the past, such as Marfisa d'Este's mansion(Palazzina Marfisa d "Este) - an aristocratic residence of the 16th century, now museumified. The patrician dwelling received the name of an aristocrat from the Este family, who lived here until the end of her days. In the halls of the villa, decorated with "grotesques" by the workers of the Filippi workshop, furniture from the 16th-17th century is placed centuries The so-called orange loggia(Loggia degli Aranci) is immersed in a magnificent garden, its barrel vault is covered with frescoes depicting climbing plants.
Palace of Palazzo Bonacossi, the mansion of Marfiza d "Este and the Orange Loggia (pictured left).
Marfisa d'Este's mansion, Perspective arch on Corso Giovecca (pictured right).
Further on the avenue we see Church of Santa Chiara(Cheisa di Santa Chiara) (St. Clara) of the 17th century, created by Luca Danesi, and pareski park(Parco Pareschi), which was once the palace garden of Renata of France. Located closer to the city center Church of Santa Maria dei Teatini, especially notable for its terracotta facade of the 17th century.
Against - roverella palace(Palazzo Roverella), attributed to Biagio Rossetti due to the clear geometric division of the façade, a characteristic feature of his work. On Corso Giovecca, Giglioli's mansion, the Hermitage-Italy Foundation is also housed.
The side street of G. Boldini, passing to the left of the Roverella Palace, goes to Piazzetta Sant'Anna(Piazzetta Sant "Anna), on one side of which a courtyard is visible - the last remnant of the old hospital of 1445, famous for the fact that in 1579-1586 she sheltered Torquato Tasso.
The fence of Pareschi Park and the Piazzetta Sant'Anna (pictured left).
Palace of Palazzo Roverella in Ferrara (pictured right).
Turning on Via Philippe de Pisis, we will see City Museum of Natural History(Museo Civico di Storia Naturale), which received the title of "excellent museum" in 2010, as it provides visitors with simple and clear answers of a high scientific level. Returning to Giovekka Avenue, we find ourselves near Churches of San Carlo(Chiesa di San Carlo) with a baroque façade attributed to the architect Giovan Battista Aleotti.
Next, we go to the intersection, which is called the "four S": Giovekka Avenue and Cavour Alley (a long straight artery that divides the city in half into western and eastern parts), Martyrs of Liberty Avenue (artery in the city center) and Borgo dei Leoni street(“Lion's Sloboda”), whose name recalls the neighboring outpost of Torre dei Leoni - the Lion Tower, which later merged with the castle d "Este.
This last street leads north to a typical renaissance building. Here are located Palace of Naselli Crispi(Palazzo Naselli-Crispi), notable for its architecture in the Roman style of the 16th century, church of jesus(Chiesa del Gesu) (Il Gesu) of the end of the same century, where “Mortorio” is preserved - a large terracotta sculptural group “Lamentation” (XV century).
Church of San Carlo, Church of Jesus Il Gesu, Naselli Crispi Palace (pictured left).
Palaces of Giglioli-Varano, Giulio d'Este and Palazzo Camerini (pictured right).
Avenue Ercole I d "Este
Avenue Corso Ercole I d "Este(Corso Ercole I d "Este) - the main axis, marking the massive expansion of urban development undertaken by Duke Ercole I according to the project of Biagio Rossetti at the beginning of the 16th century. The avenue, which arose on the basis of the old street called Angelskaya, and now rich in luxurious buildings, begins with Palace of Monte di Pieta(Palazzo del Monte di Pieta) 18th century followed by palaces of Giglioli Varano(Palazzo Giglioli Varano) and Giulio d'Este(Palazzo Giulio d "Este) of the Renaissance.
Walking along this route, you can admire the rebuilt in the 18th century. Camerini Palace(Palazzo Camerini), and then go to the "Crossroads of the Angels" (quadrivio degli Angeli), where three palaces rise: on the southwestern corner - the Diamanti Palace ("Diamond, otherwise the Faceted Chamber"), on the southeast - the Turki Palace - Di Bagno, in the northwest - the palace of Prosperi Sacrati.
In the past, this intersection indicated new lines for the development of the city: moving further, we will reach Porta degli Angeli(Porta degli Angeli) (Gate of the Angels), the northern border of the city during the Renaissance, protected by ramparts. Arteries such as Corso Porta Po, Corso Biagio Rossetti, Corso Porta Mare, which formed the ancient Prioni Street, crossed the main axis perpendicularly and determined the urbanization of the territory to the east and west.
Diamond Palace Palazzo Diamanti (pictured left).
Cladding of Palazzo Diamanti, Crossroads of the Angels and Massari Park (pictured right).
Palazzo Diamanti(Palazzo dei Diamanti) is the most impressive structure of this intersection, as it consists of a "shell" of 8500 marble "faceted" rustications, softened by a corner balcony and side pilasters. This palace, designed by Biagio Rossetti, houses temporary exhibitions on the second floor organized by the Ferrara Arte association and the city Gallery of New and Contemporary Art. In its mezzanine is the National Pinacoteca, an important exhibition of Ferrara painting from the Middle Ages to the 18th century.
Near the Diamanti Palace are located Museum of the Risorgimento and the Resistance(Museo del Risorgimento e della Resistenza), which documents the history of Ferrara in the last 200 years (there is also a historical and educational archive). At the crossroads with a pilaster on the corner, palaces rise Turki di Bagno And Prosperi-Sakrati(Palazzo Prosperi-Sacrati) (with impressive marble portals), built by the brilliant Biagio Rossetti.
Massari Park and Palace(Parco e Palazzo Massari), located on Corso Porta Mare(Corso Porta Mare), are the "green lungs" of the city and a valuable architectural and museum ensemble. You can enter the Massari public park, laid out in the English style, through two entrances - on Porta Mare and Ercole I d "Este avenues. Opposite the park, from the side of the entrance from Porta Mare, there is also Botanical Garden(Orto Botanico), a visit that is easily accessible and gives both pleasure and new knowledge thanks to a rationally organized route.
Standing next to Massari Park, an 18th-century mansion called Palazzina Bianca(“white mansion”) connects the green oasis of the park with the palace of the same name, Palazzo Bianca, built in 1590. On its lower floor is located Museum of New and Contemporary Art. Filippo de Pisis, where you can see a rich collection of works of art by masters born or lived in Ferrara in the 20th century.
In the mezzanine in Museo Ottocento(Museo dell "Ottocento) presents works illustrating the evolution of Ferrara painting in the 19th century. In addition, the spacious exhibition halls of the palace hosted Giovanni Boldini Museum(Museo Boldini) - a meaningful review of the work of the famous Ferrara portrait master, who worked in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century.
Palazzo Prosperi Sacrati (pictured left).
Palace of Palazzo Massari, stables and park of Palazzo Massari (pictured right).
In the inner garden of the palace, the old stables have now become pavilions: the left one hosts temporary exhibitions of works from the Gallery, the right one is the Pavilion of New and Contemporary Art (PAC), a place for showing works by famous artists.
Continuing along Biagio Rossetti Avenue, which in its western part is called Corso Porta Po, on the left side we see Basilica of San Benedetto(Chiesa Di San Benedetto) (St. Benedict of Nursia) - an impressive architectural ensemble attributed to Biagio Rossetti, restored in 1952-1954. after the bombings of World War II.
The main avenue intersects with Ariosto street(Via Ariosto), where it stands House of Ludovico Ariosto(Casa Ariosto) - now a museum where objects belonging to the poet and valuable editions of his works are exhibited, as well as exhibitions are held. Ariosto Street directly connects this part of the city with Cavour Street. Until the end of the 19th century, there was a river channel here, then hidden in pipes underground, and during the period of fascism, pompous buildings were erected here.
Certosa Monastery
If you go through Ercole I d "Este Avenue to the crossroads where the Diamanti Palace rises and head to the northern part of the city, you will see Trotti Mosti palaces And Guarini Giordani, now a university building. From this point you can go either along the Piopponi street leading to the Gate of the Angels, where a long walk along the city walls begins, or borso square leading to Certosa Monastery(Certosa) (Carthusian monastery).
There rises Temple of San Cristoforo(Tempio di San Cristoforo) (St. Christopher), whose history is divided into two eras: the life of the Carthusian monastery from the 15th century. and life since the 19th century, when the city government decided to convert the area opposite the church into a public cemetery. Recent work on the restoration of this architectural heritage has been able to give the temple the status of a "museum of religious art."
Among the most significant works are Bastianino's majestic St. Christopher in the apse of the church, a six-meter-high gilded tent carved in wood, and Renaissance wooden choir stalls with inlay to simulate perspective.
Via Ariosto and House of Ludovico Ariosto, Basilica of San Benedetto (pictured left).
Church of St. Christopher of San Cristoforo (pictured right).
Porta Mare Avenue and Piazza Ariostea
Borso street connects Certosa with Avenue of Porta Mare(Corso Porta Mare), starting from Ariosto Square(Piazza Ariostea) ("Ariostea") - an oval open space, lowering in the main axis. In the middle of the square rises a statue of the great Ariosto on a column. These "green lungs" adorn the remarkable buildings of the 16th century. - Bevilacqua Palace on the short side and Rondinelli Palace on long.
Next to the square on the side of Porta Mare via delle Vigne (Vineyards) is Orto degli Ebrei(Garden of the Jews) - Jewish cemetery, which can be entered through a granite portal from 1912. Giorgio Bassani, the famous Ferrara writer, who died in 2000, also rests here.
Palestro, Montebello and Mortara streets - long straight lines leading to Giovecca Avenue - are characterized by a play of architectural fullness and voids (despite the asphalt surface, which somewhat spoils the overall impression).
At the crossroads of Porta Mare - Montebello stands a Renaissance Church of San Giovanni Battista(San Giovanni Battista) (St. John the Baptist), a little further located Monastery of Santo Spirito(Monastero di Santo Spirito) (Holy Spirit) of the 16th century, rebuilt in the 17th century.
On the long and straight Mortara Street, two monumental complexes of the 16th century are located: Church of Santa Maria della Consoliatione(Santa Maria della Consolazione) (Consolations) on the corner of Mortara and Porta Mare and Santa Maria delle Grazie(Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie) ("Merciful") in the "moat (fossata) of Mortara" - now there is a chemical and biological university library.
Along the city walls
city walls(Mura) form a 9 km long ring encircling Ferrara. The proposed route takes into account the topography and lasts one hour. It starts and ends at the intersection of Cavour Street and Porta Po Avenue. Was once built here Bastion of San Benedetto, by now completely destroyed.
After passing the Belvedere street, we approach Torrione del Barco, which, together with six other towers, forms the oldest segment of the walls, erected by 1493 and interrupted at the Gate of the Angels.
The next section of the fortifications, where Peschiera del Duca(duke's fishpond) - the mooring of the ducal ships, will lead us to the "arrow" (punta) Montagnola, from where we will head to the round Tower of San Giovanni with massive outer walls.
From it we go to Bastion of San George, which is part of the eastern section of the city walls, starting from the arrow of San Rocco. This section was "distracting" and had the task of protecting the bastion of the same name, from the latter only traces of the outer walls and the Jovek arrow framing the Perspective have come down to us.
Further south, a defensive line dominates the area. Bastion of San Tommaso, whose base was Bastion della Montaglia(Montagnon). Now it is the green lungs of the city, where the ducal baths of the 16th century are located. Once it was a place of entertainment, now there are offices of the commune.
The next fragment of the walls is dominated by bastion of san george 16th century, next to the guardhouse (garitta) of the 18th century. and the remains of the 17th century San Giorgio Vista.
The walls further along this path were built under papal rule. They consist of Porta Paola(Paul's Gate) on Piazza Travallo, erected in the center of a system of fortifications that has not been preserved, as well as from Bastions of San Paolo And Santa Maria della Fortezza- this is all that remains of the pentagonal fortress of the 17th century, built at the behest of Pope Paul V.
The last segment of the route, passing along IV November Street, returns us to its beginning - at the intersection of Porta Po and Cavour streets.
Piazza Ariosto (pictured left).
Medieval walls of Ferrara, guardhouse, walls of San Rocco (pictured right).
Basilica of San Giorgio
Basilica of San Giorgio(Basilica di San Giorgio) (St. George the Victorious) is located outside the city wall to the southeast of the residential center. You can get to it over the bridge on the Volano Canal.
The history of the church ensemble dedicated to the heavenly patron of Ferrara began in the early Middle Ages (7th century), when the island of St. Anthony still existed, at which the main branches of the old Po branched out. In the XII century. the river bed changed - the Big and Venetian Po were formed. This phenomenon is known as the Ficarolo path (Rotte di Ficarolo).
In the early Middle Ages, the basilica gained great importance as the city expanded to the north and the temple, located in the center of the new urban environment, became its spiritual center. After a period of decline, the sanctuary in the XV century. was included in the monastery of the Olivetans. From the subsequent reconstruction, carried out in 1485 by Biagio Rossetti, traces remained in the sacristy, in the courtyard, in the crowning cornice, but the most significant evidence is the bell tower towering over the majestic building. She was a landmark for travelers in a wild area, devoid of any city buildings.
The external architecture that we see now was restored in the 1st floor. 18th century with deviations towards earlier forms. The modern look of the interior is the result of a renovation carried out by the architect Alberto Schiatti (1581), and the decorations come from the workshops of the 17th century. Among them, the works of Francesco Ferrari stand out.
The basilica contains works of art of great value, such as the tombstone of Lorenzo Roverella, Bishop of Ferrara at the end of the 15th century, made by Antonio Rossellino and Ambrogio Borgognone in 1475 and the reliquary of St. Maurelius, decorated with three silver tablets engraved by Antonio Leli in 1512 d. At the entrance to the bell tower is the tomb of Cosme Tura, the founder of the "ferrara workshop" ("officina ferrarese") - a painting school from which priceless works of art came out.
Medieval walls of Ferrara, tower of San Giovanni (pictured left).
Basilica of St. George of San Giorgio (pictured right).
Honored in Ferrara St. George the Victorious as the patron saint of the city. Two main churches of the city are dedicated to him. According to legend, a dragon lived near the Libyan settlement of Selem, threatening people. In order to appease him, the inhabitants periodically gave him sacrifices. When the princess's turn came, St. George, who was in those parts, killed the dragon and saved her. In the Middle Ages, when floods were considered the work of the dragon, the legend of St. George was especially common.
The etymology of the name Ferrara is still not clear, but folk fantasy created the image of a certain maiden, Frara Madonnas, possibly Greek women - she is represented on the right portal of the facade of the cathedral. According to legend, she came here with a certain Marco, who gave the name to the new village.
Heraldry Dukes of the golden age of Ferrara. Borso d'Este(1450-1471) managed to obtain numerous titles that increased the prestige of the d'Este family, so the eagle and lilies, symbols of a fruitful and peaceful policy with the Holy Roman Empire and France, became his heraldic signs. Ecole d'Este(1471-1505), the organizer of the expansion of the city, chose a diamond as a heraldic sign, which he valued for its strength and beauty and which was called the famous Palazzo dei Diamanti. Alfonso I(1505-1534) chose the "flaming grenade" in accordance with his passion for weapons, with him Ferrara received excellent artillery.
Every year, on the last Sunday of May, since 1968 Piazza Ariostea has been transformed into a stage for Palio, the lists, the beginning of which dates back to 1259 - a holiday arranged in honor of the life-long podest of Ferrara, Guelph Azzo VII, Novello d "Este, who defeated Ghibelline Ezzelino da Romano under Cassiano d" Adda. This tradition is also documented on the frescoes in the Palazzo Schifanoia - one of the oldest in Europe of this type.
Modern Ferrara is also associated with the name painter George De Chirico, the founder of so-called metaphysics, which was not some formal school of art, but the artistic and intellectual expression of a new dimension of reality, from which the term "meta" (Greek: "beyond"), that is, beyond ordinary physical sensation, came from. In the painting "Disturbing Muses" De Chirico presents the city as a mystery, full of spells and motionless. On the podium, tilted towards the viewer (which gives a sense of instability), column mannequins with strange objects are visible, and in the background - Estense Castle and two pipes. Hard light gives whimsical shadows and implausible colors. Silence prevails, which also gives the impression of a moment of eternity. What is the message of the "maestro of riddles" who just survived the World War? Maybe a person in search of himself should look into the past? Maybe the spell of Ferrara is in her past, but with the thought of the future?
The city is known not only for its members genus d'este, but also by numerous representatives of the artistic world. Among them is the writer Giorgio Bassani, directors Michelangelo Antonioni And Florestano Vancini(his first film, The Long Night of 1943, was based on a story by Bassani), set designer Carlo Rambaldi, actor Arnoldo Foa and journalist, writer, director Folko Quilichi.
In its "golden age" Ferrara stood out not only in architecture and urbanism, but also in literature. Among its writers - Maria Matteo Boiardo, (1441-1494), author of the unfinished poem Roland in Love, to which Ludovico Ariosto(1474-1533) wrote a "sequel" to "Furious Roland" and also Torquato Tasso(1544-1595), who composed at the court of Alfonso II Jerusalem Delivered, the last work of Renaissance literature.
The history of Ferrara is "famous" for stories about Lucrezia Borgia(Borgia), daughter of the formidable Pope Alexander VI, and beloved wife of Alfonso I. Her name was covered with legends even before her arrival in the city, mainly because of the terrible character of her father. Her fiancé, impatient after the stories about the beauty of the girl, rushed to meet her at the castle near Ponte Poledrano - this is how their ardent love began. The townspeople fell in love with Lucrezia when, falling from her horse at Castel Tedaldo, she gracefully and with a smile sat on a donkey and rode on.
Ferrara- the city of summation, arose due to the decisive inclusion in the urban environment of those territories that were previously outside its walls. Rod d "Este, who pursued a radical expansion policy, managed to turn the city into the capital of the Renaissance giving carte blanche to the brilliant architect Biagio Rossetti.
Events and festivals in Ferrara
Woolandra, or International Kite Festival.
Season: April. Venue: City Park. Giorgio Bassani at via Riccardo Baccelli. More information on the website: www.vulandra.it
St. George's Palio Stadium.
Season: Last Sunday in May. Venue: streets of the city center from Piazza Ariostea. More information on the website: www.paliodiferrara.it
"Ferrara under the stars" (Ferrara Sotto le Stelle), National Festival of Contemporary Music.
Season: May-July. Venue: Piazza Castello and Piazza Municipale. More information on the website: www.ferrarasottolestelle.it
Ferrara Buskers-Festival, or International Revue of Buskers.
Season: last week of August. Venue: streets of the city center. More information on the website: www.ferrarabuskers.com
Ferrara Balloons-Festival, or Festival of hot air balloons.
Season: second half of September. Venue: City Park. Giorgio Bassani at via Riccardo Baccelli. More information on the website: www.ferrarafestival.it
New Year on the square.
Pyrotechnic fireworks in the city center and the "fire" of the Estense Castle. Venue: Historic Center. More information on the website: www.capodannoaferrara.com
It's not to be missed. We advise lovers of ancient art to visit the National Archaeological Museum, located in the Palazzo Ludovico "Moro" on XX September Street and the Santa Libera Lapidarium. Art connoisseurs in general are sure to check out the diverse exposition at Palazzo dei Diamanti on Via Ercole I d "Este. Renaissance fans will not be disappointed at Palazzo Schifanoia, on Via Scandiana, as well as in the Palazzina Marfisa d" Este on Corso Giovecca. And finally, those who love modern art will see a rich collection of masters of our time at the Palazzo Massari on Corso Porto Mare.
Bicycle rides. Ferrara, with its flat surface, is the ideal place to cycle to any point in the city, whose streets often have special paths for cyclists. One of the most fascinating walks is the detour of the fortress walls adjacent to the green areas of the city, with numerous places for recreation - this is the City Park (via R.Bacchelli), Montagnone Park (via Caldirolo) and 4th November Street. For those who do not have their own bicycles, they are available for rent in specialized shops.
What to try in Ferrara
Ferrara bread "Ciupeta". It is a crumb with four humps with more crispy ends. The official birthday of the “chupeta” is considered to be the carnival of 1536, when sir Chiglio, the ancestor of the noble Chiglioli family, came up with such an unusual form of bread in honor of Duke Ercole II. Currently holds the “Seal of Quality” (I.G.P.) for bakery products.
First meal. Pasticcio con involucro di pasta frolla dolce (thin dough roll), Cappellacci di zucca conditi con ragu (pumpkin ravioli with ragout), Cappelletti in brodo (ravioli in broth), Minestra di maltagliati con fagioli (soup with pasta and beans), Passatelli in brodo (pasta in broth), Risotto all "anguilla (eel risotto).
Main dishes. Salamina da sugo al cuccbiaio con purea dlpatate (sausages in sauce and puree), Faraona al cartoccio (baked guinea fowl), Coniglio in umido (steamed rabbit).
delicious snacks. Pinzin (fried dumplings) stuffed, Zia ferraresex (characteristic sausages with garlic flavor).
Dessert. Zuppa inglese (English soup), Torta tenerina (tender cake), Frittelle di riso (rice balls), Ciambella (bun), Torta con le tagliatelle (pasta cake).
pampapato- This is a lenticular cake, resembling a kamilavka in shape. Its name comes from "pane pepato", that is, "peppered bread", since pepper and spices are certainly part of the dough, along with dried fruits. Recipe "Pampapato" appeared in the strict monasteries of the shutter around the 15th century - in order to become a classic local cake. Once cooked for Christmas, now all year round! In 1908, the Ferrara chef Guido Grezzi presented the dessert at an exhibition in Paris and received international recognition.
Shopping in Ferrara
The streets of the city center have always been "dotted" with shops. On Piazza Trento Trieste, as once in the past, they stand right next to the cathedral. From here you can take home an authentic "piece" of Ferrara: shop Ferrara Souvenirs, which opened its doors a quarter of a century ago, can satisfy any desire - from the most sophisticated items to highly cultural requests.
Ferrarese promenade "strusco" runs along the ring of streets around Martiri delta Liberta And Piazza Trenfo Trieste, where there is also a Listone, like the famous Verona prototype: every weekend a diverse market is noisy here.
The antique market is also known, taking place on the first weekend of the month on Via Bersaglieri del Rho And Corso Giovecca. Another "seductive" route goes around the ring Via San Romano, Piazza Travaglio And Corso Porta Reno.
Nice shopping area Via Garibaldi about it
Which to this day has retained the spirit of the Renaissance. Ferrara owes many of its attractions to the ducal family of Este, who ruled here in the 13th-16th centuries. It was Duke Ercole d’Este at the turn of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance (end of the 15th century) who hired the architect Rossetti to create an “ideal” city, who managed to quietly “mix” new trends in architecture with the cultural heritage of his ancestors. This decision marked the beginning of modern urban planning. Ferrara became the first city in Europe where development was carried out according to a single plan, which was the reason for its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Despite the fact that modern Ferrara is not a small city by Italian standards (the population is about 140 thousand inhabitants), it managed to preserve its unique flavor. In the Old Town, once protected by imposing fortifications, there are practically no cars. The best means of transportation through the narrow medieval streets is a bicycle. There is no rush here. You can just walk slowly and enjoy the unique atmosphere of antiquity.
How to get to the city of Ferrara
Buses routes 1, 2 and 9 run from the railway station to the city center, where the main attractions of Ferrara are located. However, it will not be difficult to get there on foot. The distance from the railway station to the center is about 1.5 km.
Where to live in Ferrara
Ferrara is a compact city. It is quite possible to see it in 1 day. However, if the unique atmosphere absorbs you so much that you decide to stay here, finding the best accommodation will not be any problem.
Most hotels in Ferrara are located in the historic center of the city. In addition, hotels delight with their affordable prices. For example, a luxurious room in the 5-star Hotel Duchessa Isabella for four people with breakfast will cost only 140 euros per night (2018), and small apartments for two adults - only 35-40 euros per night (2018). The world-famous booking.com service will help you choose the best hotel.
Sights of Ferrara
The greatest interest of tourists in Ferrara is riveted to the historical center of the city, where many sights of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance have been preserved unchanged.
If you don’t have much time to explore the city, and you also want to not only see, but also learn a lot of new and interesting things, it makes sense to pre-book a sightseeing tour for a convenient date. Check out the offer and
Attractions of Ferrara on the map
Cathedral of St. George
One of the oldest buildings in the city of Ferrara is the Cathedral of St. George. It was built from the 12th to the 14th century. The facade, originally made of pink marble in the style of Lombard romanticism, acquired Gothic elements a couple of centuries later.
The Cathedral of Ferrara is one of the oldest sights in the city.
The interior of the cathedral after a devastating fire in the 17th century. It was rebuilt in the then fashionable Baroque style. The painting of the Last Judgment by Filippo Lippi, dated to the 16th century, has been preserved in the altar. More ancient works of painting (beginning of the 15th century) are kept in the museum of the cathedral, which is located opposite, in the former church of San Romano.
Palaces of the ducal family d'Este
On the opposite side of the duomo in the XIII century. for the Dukes of Este, the first residence was erected - Municipal Palace (Palazzo Municipale). The ducal family lived here until the 16th century, later the city hall was located in the building.
Palazzo Municipale - the first palace of the d'Este family in Ferrara
In the XIV century. after the suppression of the city uprising, in order to protect himself and his family, Nicollo II d'Este decided to build a powerful fortress next to his palace Castello Estense. It began to be built near the tower of Torre dei Leoni, from the 13th century. part of the city fortifications. After construction was completed, Castello Estense housed the duke's army, and in the 15th century. fearing conspirators, the d'Este family finally moved to a protected castle. Today, Castello Estense is considered the main attraction of the city of Ferrara. As part of the tour, you can see the interior of the palace, how the family of the ruling dynasty lived, the servants, where the office premises and the prison were located.
The imposing castle of Estense has preserved the spirit of the Middle Ages
By the end of the XIV century. under the reign of Alberto V d'Este, another ducal palace was built - Palazzo Schifanoia. In the literal translation "schivar la noia" - to disperse boredom. It is not difficult to guess that the palazzo was built primarily to amuse the owners. With Borso d'Este, who was very passionate about astrology, the palace acquired a richly painted hall of the Months. The walls along the perimeter of the hall are decorated with the annual cycle of the signs of the zodiac, skillfully diluted with allegorical scenes from everyday life.
In Palazzo Schifanoia, the most interesting is the Hall of the Months.
House of Romea- Another interesting attraction of Ferrara. This house was built by the merchant and landowner Giovanni Romei in the middle of the 15th century. after his marriage to Polissen d'Este. In the XVI century. This place was chosen by Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este, having slightly altered it in his own manner. Outwardly unremarkable, the house has a small but rather exquisite patio. Inside, several ceiling paintings of the 16th century have been preserved. Now Casa Romei houses a museum of painting and sculpture.
Behind the impregnable walls of Romea's house lies an elegant patio
Another palazzo belonged to the daughter of Francesco d'Este Marfisa. It was built in the eastern part of the city in the 16th century. From the first owners, only a few ceiling paintings inside, as well as a marvelous garden with scenery for theatrical performances, have survived to this day. IN Palazzo Marfisa d'Este currently houses a museum of furniture and antiques of the XVI-XVII centuries.
Under Marphyse d'Este, a cozy garden was laid out in the palazzo
Palazzo Costabili was erected in the southeastern part of the city for the ambassador Ludovico Sforza Antonio Costabili. There is a version that the palazzo was built by order of Sforza himself to accommodate his wife in his homeland. Behind the harsh brick walls of the exterior, there was a patio richly decorated with a gallery, where several buildings of the palazzo united together opened out. The interior decoration is practically not preserved. Now the palace houses the National Archaeological Museum.
According to one version, the elegant Palazzo Costabili was built on the orders of the Duke of Milan Sforza
Ferrara - "ideal city"
Under the rule of Este, medieval Ferrara grew and no longer fit within the historical center. The first expansion of the city was undertaken under Nicollo II d'Este in the 14th century. In memory of this event, the aforementioned house of Romea and the palazzo of Renata of France, which now houses one of the buildings of the University of Ferrara, have been preserved.
With the advent of the XV century. to the power of Ercole I d'Este, Ferrara experienced a second expansion.
The territory of the city has almost doubled - from the river Po to the current axis of avenues corso Porta Po, corso Biagio Rossetti and corso Porta Mare. For the first time, this part of the city was cut by a rectangular grid of streets, decorated with gardens and parks. Ercole d'Este sought to create an "ideal city" with a clear layout. Ferrara became the first in Europe where it was possible to implement the plan, which was awarded the inclusion in the UNESCO heritage list.
Ercole Avenue, according to UNESCO experts, is recognized as the most beautiful street of Ferrara
In the so-called "Ercole extension", in contrast to the medieval center of Ferrara, many Renaissance sights have been preserved.
Most of them are located on the most beautiful street in the city. Corso Ercole I d'Este. The street is literally made for walking. The most notable part of it is the so-called "Crossroads of the Angels", where several palazzos were erected at once:
Diamond Palace, so named due to the unusual decoration of the walls;
Severe and ascetic palace Turki di Bagno;
And the palace of Prosperi Sakrati, decorated with marble.
The unusual decoration of the facade of the Diamond Palace literally "plays" in the sun
If you continue moving along Ercole Avenue from the Angels Crossing, you can go to a picturesque garden near another attraction of Ferrara - city walls. In general, walls can be found on all sides of the city. Initially, they surrounded only the historical center, after the “expansion of Ercole” they also covered new city blocks. The walls were erected in the 16th century. according to all then existing rules of fortification. Later they were repeatedly rebuilt and strengthened. Three entrances led inside from the walls: the Angelic Gate from the north, the Paola Gate from the south, and the San Giovanni Gate from the east.
A powerful complex of fortifications was erected around the city.
Inside the city, under Ercole d'Este, a tradition was born to set up shady gardens and parks. Piazza Ariostea was one of the first to be planted with vegetation, which since the Middle Ages has served as a venue for traditional Palios.
Palio of Ferrara
Speaking about the sights of Ferrara, it is also worth mentioning the annual event that gathers thousands of tourists in the city - the traditional Palio races, which are not inferior in entertainment to the famous ones.
The tradition of celebrating the Palio in Ferrara originated in 1279 in honor of the victory of Azzo VII Novello at the battle of Cassano d'Adda. Competitions were held in four different categories (for girls, boys, horses and donkeys) twice a year. Now the categories have remained the same, but the event takes place only once a year - on the last Sunday of May.
Photos by: Herbert Ortner, Sansa55, Geobia, Sailko, Tonina Droghetti, Rapallo80, Sansa55, Nicola Bisi
Italy, among all its other riches, is famous for containing the most objects included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Probably everyone has heard of Venice, Florence, Verona, Rome or Naples. A little less well-known is a pretty city located in the Emilia-Romagna region, named Ferrara (Ferrara). It goes without saying that the association with a powerful, red, sports car suggests itself, but I did not see a clear connection between the Ferrari company and this city. But it is believed that Ferrara was the first city in Europe, rebuilt according to the general urban plan, with straight, perpendicular streets and green spaces and parks. That is why UNESCO considered it necessary to include it in its list with the signature: " Ferrara, Renaissance city and adjacent Po Delta". In this story, I propose to walk around this "ideal city", transformed according to the vision of Duke Ercole d'Este ( Ercole d'Este).
The largest building in the city Estense castle (Castello Estense), that is, the castle of the d'Este family. It was built at the end of the 14th century by order of Nicolo d'Este, father of Ercole, who was afraid of popular uprisings. The castle looks more like a palace, but it looks quite impregnable - high walls and towers, bars on the windows, a moat with water ... Over time, the castle turned into a permanent residence of the dukes, richly decorated with marble balconies and terraces outside, frescoes and paintings inside. Today, most of the building's rooms are open to visitors, and one of the towers is said to offer a wonderful panoramic view of the roofs of Ferrara.
If you walk around the castle, you can see an expressive monument to a Dominican priest Girolamo Savonarola. Despite his noble origin and wealthy parents, Savonarola went to the monastery, abandoning his fortune. He opposed the Renaissance and the accompanying humanist movement in every possible way, as he believed that it corrupted morals and alienated people from God. In 1494, Savonarola turned out to be the head of Florence, where he often resorted to the services of informers and spies, or arranged for the burning of objects that he considered immoral (mirrors, works of art, beautiful clothes ...) on a large fire. Ironically, Savonarola lost his life at the stake, sentenced to death by Pope Alexander 6th. The monument was erected in Ferrara, since this is the alleged birthplace of Girolamo.
We go to the main square - Piazza Trento e Trieste (Piazza Trento e Trieste). Here is the city hall in a building with a turret (in the center of the frame) and the Ferrara Cathedral (directly opposite the city hall).
The battlements on the wall are very similar to the Kremlin ones, which is not surprising, since the walls and towers of the Moscow Kremlin were built by the Italians. Such battlements are a very common architectural element in Italy.
Under the old arcades, modern boutiques and salons lurk.
The whimsical decorative columns are double, and some of them are zigzag and even spiral.
When you look at Cathedral of Saint George (basilica cattedrale di San Giorgio Martire), then it seems that the eyes are seeing double. This is because of the double columns shown in the previous image.
The façade is richly decorated... no, even very richly decorated with columns, arches, carvings, sculptures and bas-reliefs.
Inside - everything, as it should be for such a solid cathedral. Twilight, an abundance of candles, lush chandeliers, painted walls and ceiling.
Next to the cathedral, on the facade of the city hall - a seated monument Borso d'Este(Borso d "Este), the first Duke of Ferrara, who ruled from 1450 to 1471.
He seems to be on a horse too, although I could be wrong.
A little away from the city center, the streets are quite deserted, and each is wonderful in its own way.
By medieval standards, the streets are quite wide. Perhaps this is the legacy of the Renaissance ...
I wanted to look into the courtyard of one of the buildings. A man who was hanging around (either the owner of the cafe, or just a local) asked me if I spoke English. Hearing a positive answer, he joyfully said: "Come in and see, there is a cemetery!" Indeed, gravestones were embedded in the walls. In the picture, they are visible in the depths, behind the columns. Unexpected and unusual.
We continue to consider interesting elements of architecture and life. A pretty balcony with flowers overlooking both streets, and typical lattice shutters.
Unrealistically cool "door" knockers (?) - each tenant has his own nominal knocker. It is more likely, of course, that these are still electric calls, but I like my first idea more. It seems that the tenants distinguish by knocking who the visitors came to ...
It is also interesting to watch the streets of Ferrara from the city walls.
Like any self-respecting city, Ferrara was surrounded by powerful walls. It was possible to enter the city through three gates - in the south, east and north. The fortifications are well preserved to this day, although since then the city has grown, and the walls now go inside it, and not outside.
The plant on the windowsill seems to have come out of some exciting novel, where the characters signal each other by pulling the curtains or placing a flower pot on the window.
Old tiles, overgrown with anything.
In such a quantity, antennas no longer spoil the urban landscape, but become its decoration. Fortunately, here we are already far from the historical center.
An excellent example of the combination of ancient fine and decorative art and modern navigational signs.
We cross a river or a canal, where the locals successfully escape from the heat. It is not clear why they need a chainsaw - a case of beer would be much more appropriate here.
Let's finish the story about Ferrara Church of St. George (San Giorgio), notable for its leaning bell tower.
St. George- the patron of Ferrara, which is probably why both the church and the main cathedral bear his name. And the statue of George in the picture immediately reminded me of the Irish Saint Patrick - well, just twin brothers!
I must say that even a third of all the sights of Ferrara do not appear in this modest story. There are so many museums, palaces and churches here that will last not for a day - for a week. Architecture lovers will be in seventh heaven, the rest, perhaps, will also find something of their own in Ferrara.
Finally, a few more shots.
With that, I say goodbye to you until next time.
Beautiful and vibrant Ferrara is a marvelous gem located in the Italian province next to the Po River. Not so densely populated (about 140 thousand inhabitants) and popular with tourists, the place, nevertheless, has a charming atmosphere and is able to surprise its guests with fabulous palaces, beautifully preserved architectural monuments and much more. Most of the famous buildings date back to the Renaissance.
The city owes much of its development and prosperity to the d'Este family, under whose patronage it was.
The city has a second unofficial name - City of cyclists. Indeed, there are practically no cars in the old, historical part of Ferrara, the inhabitants prefer the bicycle as an alternative, more sporty and useful form of transport. The authorities have created all conditions for this.
Numerous cycle paths pass through the cozy streets. Guests of the city can also experience the beauty of cycling by renting this economical, convenient and pleasant transport for travel.
The appearance of the building is a little out of the standard understanding of what is commonly called a palace. This is a three-story building of the 16th century, with a rather severe appearance, without any elegant arches with unusual stucco, figures, gilding and other decorative elements. For a long time, the palace was a private property of members of the Prosperi and Sakrati families, but in the 19th century it was bought by the state and attached to the museum complex of the Massari Palace and the Diamond Palace.
Location: Corso Ercole I d'Este, 23-35.
The ancient church of St. Francis, like many other buildings in Ferrara, was damaged by the 2012 earthquake, after which some restoration work was required. Not so remarkable from the outside, the temple impresses with its interior decoration and ancient sculptures.
Location: Piazza S. Francesco.
An ancient church built in the 15th century on the site of an even more ancient temple destroyed earlier. Open to all comers, the current Church of Our Lady, gives a feeling of calm and tranquility. Within its walls is a large organ, a stunning basilica and much more. When planning a visit, check the opening hours. Usually the church is open for guests in the morning until 12 and after 16 hours.
Location: Via Borgovado - 3.
The development and organization of the monastery is closely connected with the surname d'Este, like many other sights and historical monuments of Ferrara. From the 13th century, it was under the patronage of Beatrice II d'Este and gradually began to play a significant role in the life of believers.
Over time, the decoration of the monastery has undergone some changes, both inside and outside. To this day, the division into the "external" and "internal" part of the church has been preserved. The first is intended for visiting everyone, and the second for the nuns of the monastery.
Location: Vicolo del Gambone - 15.
The palace was built at the end of the 16th century, and in the 19th century it was acquired by the Massari family, whose name it proudly bears to this day. Two floors are reserved for the permanent exhibition of the city art gallery. Mostly modern exhibits relating to the XIX-XXI centuries are presented.
Location: Corso Porta Mare - 9.
The Kostabili Palace is an example of a wonderful combination of rigor and elegance in design. It is noteworthy that the final plan of the architect was never completed.
Today, its halls house the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara. In spacious, bright rooms, on some walls of which ancient frescoes are still preserved, there are showcases with the most valuable historical exhibits, which are part of the cultural heritage of the city and its inhabitants.
Location: Via XX Settembre - 122.
Schifanoia Palace was built in the 15th century for entertainment and celebrations of the d'Este family. Its name comes from the Italian words, which translate as "hide from boredom." On the walls inside the premises are numerous frescoes by famous masters.
Interestingly, one of the halls of the palace is decorated with images of pagan gods. Today, guests of Ferrara can admire this beautiful building and visit the museum of ancient art, located here.
Location: Via Scandiana - 23.
Many tourists, coming to the city and studying the list of local attractions, mistakenly assume that the Diamond Palace is directly related to this valuable mineral.
In fact, the halls of the palace are not an exhibition area for products made from diamonds and diamonds. This name was due to the appearance of the facade of the building - an interesting finish that resembles a diamond cut. In the premises of the palace there is a gallery of modern art, as well as restoration workshops.
Location: Corso Ercole I d'Este - 21.
The main temple of Ferrara was built in honor of St. George, the patron saint of the city, in the 12th century and during this time it was rebuilt several times. It is quite dark inside, but for visitors, a special device is installed at the entrance, with which you can turn on additional lighting for a small fee.
Location: Piazza della Cattedrale.
For many centuries, the d'Este family was the patron of the city. Thanks to them, Ferrara flourished, many interesting buildings appeared, the construction and design of which were carried out by eminent masters of those times. The huge halls of the palace are ready to show and tell the story of this famous family. In the lower rooms there is a dungeon in which the prisoners of the castle languished.
Location: Largo Castello - 20.
This is a thriving modern trading center near the Po River. Ferrara is located in the eastern part of the region, on the way from Padua and further to.
The first mention of a settlement with this name appeared in 757 under Pope Stephen II. The place in the valley of the Po River, not far from the confluence of the Darsena tributary, turned out to be a convenient outpost, and soon people began to flock here in search of protection from the raids of the Lombards. The favorable location of the city - at the intersection of the main routes from the Adriatic coast in the valley of the Po River, as well as between Romagna and the northern regions - made it the subject of constant clashes between the pope and the emperor. In Ferrara, the Guelphs, who were represented by the Este family, won, and in 1264, Obizzo II d'Este was at the head of the Signoria.
Ruled by Ferrara for three and a half centuries, representatives of this family transformed and enlarged the city. The last Duke of Ferrara from this family was Cesare d'Este. With the departure of D'Este in 1598, the capital of the duchy falls into decay.
In 1796, the city was captured by French troops and during their stay they destroyed many architectural monuments and took out bronze statues and decorations for melting down for artillery pieces. After the expulsion of the invaders in 1815, Ferrara was again annexed to the papal possessions, and in 1860, by the will of the people, the city became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
There are few cars and motorcycles on the streets of the city, most of the townspeople move along the old streets on bicycles. In hotels, tourists are offered this type of transport for free.
Weather in Ferrara:
Ferrara Attractions:
It is possible to see all the sights of Ferrara in 1 day, and if you don’t go straight to all the sights, then half a day is enough.
Cathedral of San Giorgio
The main monument of the Middle Ages remains CathedralCan Giorgio(Cattedrale di San George, XII century), dedicated to the patron of Ferrara, St. George. The construction of the cathedral was started by Bishop Landolfo, who announced a competition among the city's nobility for the right to sponsor the construction of the cathedral. This honor was awarded to Guglielmo I degli Adelardi - his equestrian monument adorns the main (western) facade of the temple.
Master Nikolaus, an Italian architect and sculptor who worked in the 12th century, built the cathedral to the first level of galleries - only the central nave towered above the rest.
In the XVIII-XIX centuries, the western facade received the exquisite decoration that we see today, but, paying tribute to the talent of Nikolaus, the Romanesque entrance built by him was preserved behind the new portal.
Initially, it was not the western entrance that was considered the main one, but southern, facing the trading area. It was called the Pilgrim's Gate ( Rorta dei Pellegrini), since it ended here via San Romano (via San Romano), originating from the port on the river Po. Wanderers who sailed past Ferrara came to bow to St. George. Another name for the southern portal - Gate of the months(Porta dei Mesi): it is decorated with figures of people engaged in a certain business according to the calendar.
Two-faced Janus (a symbol of the Old and New Years) - January, an armed rider, probably - May (at this time they usually went on military campaigns), a grape picker - September. Fragments of the southern portal were badly damaged, and not all symbols can be deciphered.
- Cathedral of San Giorgio
- Piazza della Cattedrale
- daily 08.00–12.00, 15.00–19.00, Mon. St.
From the main facade of the cathedral Corso Martiri della Liberta leads to the huge castle of Castello Ectense:
Castle of Castello Ectense
Previously, the defensive walls of the Old Town passed in this place, but after the construction of the Ercole district began in 1492, the most elegant street in Ferrara was laid on the site of the former fortifications.
The construction of the castle began in 1385 after a formidable uprising caused by excessive taxes, during which the mob killed the senior adviser Tomaso da Tortona. The original plan included part of the defensive system in the north of the city - lion tower(Torre dei Leoni). The tower got its name back in 1248, when Azzo VII d'Este Novello defeated Emperor Frederick II himself. As a trophy, the winner brought two lions with him to the city, and ordered to place their symbolic images on the tower in memory of the significance of his services to the fatherland. The motto of the Este dynasty is also carved there - Semper avanti! ("Always forward!").
Three bastions together with the Lion Tower formed a rectangle surrounded by two-tiered walls. Initially, there was a garrison in the castle, but from the 2nd half of the 15th century, the castle became part of the count's residence. The Este family palace was almost opposite and was connected to the castle by a covered passage.
Under Ercol II (1534-1559), the Palace of Justice was located in Castello. In one of the towers there were prison cells. Among their prisoners were Hugo d'Este (son of Nicolò III) and Parisina Malatesta (wife of the same Nicolò III), convicted of adultery, Guido and Ferrante d'Este, accused of plotting against Alfonso I.
In the 16th century, the construction of the castle was completed. Architect Girolamo da Carpi replaced stone battlements with balconies and created a hanging orange garden Loggia degli Aranci, for which he ordered to plant orange trees in holes made in the stone floor of the terrace, surrounded by a brick wall with narrow slots. They say that through them the ladies of the D'Este family peeped at what was happening on the city streets. After the death of the last representative of the dynasty, the castle became the residence of the cardinals who rule Ferrara on behalf of the pope. Since 1859, Castello Ectense has been owned by the city authorities.
- Castello Ectense
- Largo Castello, 1
- winter: Tue–Sun 09.30–17.30
- summer (June 1 - Aug 31): Tue-Sun 09.00-13.00 and 15.00-19.00
- Ticket offices close 45 minutes before closing.
- Closed: 25 Dec, Mondays from Oct. to Feb.
- Entrance: 6 euros,
- children 12 - 18: 3 euros,
- children under 12: 1 euro.
Casa Romei
A 15-minute walk from the castle is Casa Romei(Casa Romei, XV century), the palace in which Lucrezia Borgia lived after her marriage to Duke Alfonso d'Este in 1502. The interiors have not been preserved, but in the halls you can see frescoes and sculptures from the Renaissance.
- Casa Romei
- Via Savonarola, 30
- Tue–Sun 08.30–19.30
Palazzo Schifanoia
The name of the Palazzo Schifanoia ( Palazzo Schifanoia) is traditionally translated roughly as "to avoid boredom" (it. schivar la noia).
The construction of the palace began in 1385 under the Marquis Alberto d'Este V. But the decisive role in the fate of the front residence of Estense was played by the Marquis Borso (1413-1471), who launched work not only on completion, but also on decorating the palace, attracting the most famous architects that time - Pietro Benvenuti degli Ordini and Biagio Rossetti. He ordered the construction of the so-called Salon of the Months - the marquis expected the title of Duke of Ferrara from the Pope (which happened in 1471) and prepared a luxurious hall for the celebration.
The walls (540 m2) were painted frescoes dedicated to 12 months of the year, and the theme is read both vertically and horizontally. The topmost band represents the mythological cycle according to the astrological treatises of that era.
At the second level, one can discern the symbols of the signs of the zodiac surrounded by triads (small constellations). This is followed by scenes from the life of Borso d'Este himself, which depict his deeds of different years, arranged according to the months in which they occurred.
During the French occupation, the walls of the palace were whitewashed, but in 1821 the frescoes were accidentally discovered. For more than a dozen years, restoration work has been carried out on the heritage, recognized as the most significant non-religious fresco cycle of the Renaissance.
- Palazzo Schifanoia
- via Scandiana, 23
- Tue-Sun. 09.00–18.00
- Closed: Jan 11, 6 and 11, Dec 25 and 26
- Entrance: € 6.00
- up to 18 years - free of charge, 18 - 25 years: € 2.00
Palazzo dei Diamanti
The only secular building awarded marble cladding in Ferrara is the Palazzo dei Diamanti ( Palazzo dei Diamanti, 1492). The name translates as "Diamond Palace" and is due to the fact that the facade of the building is decorated with 8500 stones resembling cut diamonds. Now in the building of the palace is located NationalArt Gallery(Pinacoteca Nazionale), where the works of artists from Ferrara from the Middle Ages to the XVIII century are exhibited.
- Palazzo dei Diamanti
- Corso Ercole I d'Este, 21
- hedgehog. 9 - 19
- Entrance: 11 euros
- 6 - 18 years old, pensioners, students: 9 euros
Palio of Ferrara
The traditional races "palio" in Ferrara are first mentioned in the code of laws of 1279. They were attended by men, women and riders on unbridled and bareback horses and donkeys. On the frescoes (XV century) of the Palazzo Scifanoia in the Salon of the Months, in the sector dedicated to April, you can see the participants of the palio, and the Duke of Borso d'Este is at the head of the jury.
Races are still held annually on the last Sunday of May in Piazza Ariostea. Boys run first two full circles ( Corsa dei Putty, the race is dedicated to St. Roman) and girls ( Corsa delle putte, dedicated St. Pavel). Natives of the province of Ferrara not older than 16 years old are allowed to participate. The funniest part of the holiday is donkey races ( Corsa delle Asine, dedicated St. Maurelius). Stubborn ones start when they want, or they don’t move at all. Until the end of the race, the rider should not touch the ground with his feet, even if the donkey stops or suddenly lies down. It takes a lot of time and patience for the start to go according to the rules. The race is designed for 3 laps, but if after 20 minutes no donkey reaches the finish line, the winner is the one who completed at least the first lap. In the last race, riders compete on thoroughbred bare horses ( Corsa dei Cavalli, dedicated St. George). The winners are awarded the standard of the saint to whom the competition was dedicated.
Ferrara Map
