Also famous as the "city of bicycles", Ferrara is a province located in the lower Emilian plain, less than an hour from Bologna, and is renowned not only for good food, but also for the artistic heritage it contains, for the countless tourist places to visit and for the original events organized periodically (for the events scheduled in the city see our "News" page) )
Ferrara experienced its most flourishing period during the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, under the rule of the Este family. It was in this period, in fact, that the city was transformed into an artistic center of great importance both in Italy and in Europe, hosting personalities of the caliber of Ludovico Ariosto, Torquato Tasso, Niccolò Copernico, Tiziano, Pico della Mirandola and Pietro Bembo.
UNESCO awarded it the title of World Heritage Site for the first time in 1995 as a city of the Renaissance and subsequently, in 1999, the Este city received further recognition for the Po Delta (less than 1 hour by car from Ferrara with an offer of excursions even for just a few hours) and for the Estensi Delights, the set of 19 villas in the Ferrara area and its province that represented the places of retreat and leisure of the Este.
For Info: IAT (Information Office and Tourist Reception) +39 0532 209370
Estense Castle Museum
gateway with full ticket 12€
gateway with CARD MYFE
gateway with full ticket 12€ 12€
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
gateway with full ticket 12€ 4€
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
gateway with full ticket 12€ 6€
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
gateway with full ticket 12€ 5€
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
gateway with full ticket 12€ 6€
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
gateway with full ticket 12€ 6€
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
gateway with full ticket 12€ 4€
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
Padiglione d’Arte Contemporanea
gateway with full ticket 12€ 5€
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
Ingresso con biglietto intero: Gratuito
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
Ingresso con biglietto intero: Gratuito
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
Ingresso con biglietto intero: Gratuito
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
Ingresso con biglietto intero: Gratuito
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
Ingresso con biglietto intero: Gratuito
gateway with CARD MYFE 0€
MUSEUMS OF THE MYFE CARD CIRCUIT | ENTRANCE WITH FULL TICKET | ENTRANCE WITH MYFE CARD |
---|---|---|
Estense Castle Museum | 12€ | 0€ |
Palazzo Schifanoia – Civico Lapidario | 12€ | 0€ |
Palazzina Marfisa d’Este | 4€ | 0€ |
Museo della Cattedrale | 6€ | 0€ |
Museo di Casa Romei | 5€ | 0€ |
Museo Archeologico Nazionale | 6€ | 0€ |
Pinacoteca Nazionale | 6€ | 0€ |
Museo Civico di Storia Naturale | 4€ | 0€ |
Padiglione d’Arte Contemporanea | 5€ | 0€ |
Casa di Ludovico Ariosto | gratuito | 0€ |
Museo Riminaldi – Palazzo Bonacossi | gratuito | 0€ |
San Cristoforo alla Certosa | gratuito | 0€ |
Palazzo Turchi di Bagno | gratuito | 0€ |
Orto botanico – Erbario | gratuito | 0€ |
Total | 47€ | 0€ |
The Castello Estensedating back to 1385. It is considered to be the city's most emblematic attraction and is also known as "St. Michael's Castle" as the first stone was laid on the 29th September, St. Michael's day. Initially the construction was conceived as a military fortress but in 1476 it became the aristocratic residence of Duke Ercole I d'Este;
the St. George's Basilicawas initially located outside the historic city walls in the Borgo San Giorgio area, only to be moved to its current site, a short distance from the Este Castle. It was the city's first basilica, constructed in the 8th century on the right bank of the Po di Volano. In 1135 the Episcopal see was moved to the cathedral and the basilica fell into oblivion.
Palazzo Paradiso, constructed in 1391, is home to the Ariostea Municipal Library which contains the most complete collection of editions including Ludovico Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, some letters of Torquato Tasso as well as a Bible which belonged to the Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola. Prior to its conversion into the Ariostea Municipal Library, Palazzo Paradiso was home to theUniversity ofFerrara.
The City Walls of Ferrara, approximately 9 km long and remarkably well preserved, mostly unchanged from Medieval times. In ancient times they were entirely surrounded by a moat for defence purposes and characterised by important gates including Porta Paola to the south, Porta San Giovanni to the east and Porta degli Angeli to the north.
Ferrara Cathedral , (in Italian Basilica Cattedrale di San Giorgio Martire), is the Archdiocese's Episcopal See, the city's largest church as well as one of its most important monuments. The Cathedral is located at the heart of the city and hosts the most important diocesan celebrations. The blessing of the Palios occurs in Spring, four painted fabrics which constitute the prize of the four competitions of the Palio of Ferrara. Pope Urban III is also buried in the Cathedral.
The Ferrara Ghetto, which was established in 1627 in the most ancient areas of the city, is located just a short distance from the Duomo and the Castello Estense. Despite its closure in 1859, the ghetto continued being the focal point of the Jewish community in Ferrara.
The Palazzo dei Diamanti, one of most famous monuments of both Ferrara and the Italian Renaissance, is located in Corso Ercole I d'Este 21.
The palazzo was designed by Biagio Rossetti in 1492 on behalf of Sigismondo d'Este, brother of the Duke Ercole I d'Este. It was then built between 1493 and 1503. It was initially used as the Este dwelling and as from 1832 the building was purchased by the Municipality so as to house the Art Gallery and the Civic Museum. The name of the building derives from the use of stones in the shape of diamond tips that create powerful perspective effects.
The palace's name derives from the use of diamond-shaped stones that create striking perspective effects.
Palazzo Schifanoia (1385), is the Este family’s ancient leisurely dwelling; it is the only "delight" to be found in the city and its name comes from the meaning to "avoid boredom". The palazzo is famous for hosting the Salone dei Mesi, one of the most representative expressions of 16th century Italian frescoes;
Piazza Trento e Trieste , is Ferrara’s most important square and it is located in the heart of the historic city center. The square is located in the city center and its shape is rectangular. Its construction dates back to the Middle Ages, when the cathedral was built: from that moment onwards the square became the city’s center of attention around which the most important seats of power were concentrated;
Piazza Ariostea , is an important square in Ferrara and today it has become a meeting place for both the local people and for some sporting events that take place there. Furthermore, on the last Sunday of May it hosts the Palio di Ferrara (horse race), which was established in 1279 and is considered the oldest palio in the world;
The Cathedral Museum of Ferrara, located in Via San Romano, a few steps from St. George's Cathedral, collects some masterpieces coming from the cathedral itself.
The Civic Museum of Natural Historylocated in Filippo de Pisis 24. It was born as a core group of the museum in the eighteen century enriched in 1850 by a collection of zoological specimens from Africa and further expanded thanks to theFerraraUniversity.
The Sinagoghewhich are located in a building on Via Mazzini 95, in the area of the old ghetto. The Jewish settlement in the area dates back to 1485.
The Small Marfisa D'Este Palace, a magnificent example of noble residence of the sixteenth century was built by Francesco d'Este and then inherited by his daughter Marfisa who lived there until her death, refusing to leave Ferrara after the devolution of the city to the Papal State, when her family moved to Modena.
The Palio of Ferrara, the traditional annual contest known as the Palio di Ferrara was made official in 1279 and is considered to be the oldest of its kind in the world. The contest sees Ferrara's eight districts compete against each other, the four neighbourhoods inside the medieval walls and the four villages outside the walls.
Vulandra - Kite Festival
This international kite festival is traditionally held in the Bassani Park from 23rd April, the Day of San Giorgio (the patron saint of Ferrara) to 25th April, Italy's Liberation Day ('Festa della Liberazione').
Ferrara Buskers Festival, one of the best shows in the world dedicated to street artists, is aimed at enhancing the image of street artists, buskers themselves, who transform streets, alleys and squares into their stage and turn passers-by into their audience.
Ferrara Balloons Festival , Festival is a festival dedicated to hot-air balloons and the world of “air”. Running since 2005, the festival is held in September in the Bassani Urban Park, just a few metres from the old town centre.
Ferrara Under the Stars , ('Ferrara beneath the stars') is one of the important musical performances of the city of Ferrara and in Italy, hosting both national and international stars as well as emerging talent, covering all kinds of musical genres. Performed in the Piazza del Castello, concerts are usually held in the summer during the months of June and July.
New Year in Ferrara
Every year, Ferrara prepares to celebrate the last night of year in the Piazza del Castello which is filled with music and includes the traditional firework display, which also gives the impression that the castle is on fire.
Visitors to Ferrara certainly cannot miss an encounter with traditional Emilian delicacies. Start with the fragrant bread. With its unmistakable "couple" shape, it has become one of the symbols of this city.
Among the typical dishes of the area, we recall:
- cappelletti in brodo – cappelletti au bouillon, which are the Ferrara version of tortellini, and legend has it that they were created in the image and likeness of Venus' navel. The recipe calls for a meat "batù” wrapped in home made egg pasta;
– i cappellacci di zucca, a very special dish with a pumpkin and parmesan filling, wrapped in a thin egg pasta shape that was inspired by one of the hats of Lucrezia Borgia, who was Duchess of Ferrara from 1505 to 1519;
– il pasticcio di maccheroni ferrarese, an ancient Ferrarese dish dating back to the 16th century. The shape can be compared to a priest's hat and was mainly consumed during carnival. It is a contrast between sweet and savory. It is in fact a sweet pastry crust filled with macaroni mixed with a white ragout, bechamel, mushrooms, nutmeg and truffle;
– la salama da sugo, a sausage stuffed with pork, wine and spices, seasoned for a whole year. It is usually served with mashed potatoes to bring out its distinctive flavor;
– l’anguilla, a specialty from the town of Comacchio, this dish boasts approximately 48 various recipes;
– la torta di tagliatelle, made with a shortcrust pastry base, a layer of dark almond marzipan covered in soft egg noodles, this traditional Emilian dessert was inspired by the Lucrezia Borgia's blonde hair;
– la tenerina, is a dessert made entirely of chocolate without the use of flour;
– il pampepato, o pampapato, is a round shaped dessert made of dark chocolate both in the dough and glaze, with hazelnuts, almonds, cinnamon and a hint of pepper. The origin of the name is found to have a double meaning Bread of the Papacy or Pepper bread, because it's spicy. Pampapato is a Ferrara specialty: flavored gently with orange, peppered with almonds throughout, and all coated again in dark chocolate;
– la zuppa inglese, a Ferrara specialty dessert from 1600. It is a pudding made of sponge cake or ladyfingers soaked in alchermes liqueur that is layered alternating with a layer of pastry cream and cocoa. It is delicious and beautiful to see the variety of colour it displays;
Via Pelosa, 20
TEL: 0532.65.154
Via XX Settembre, 61
TEL: 0532.47.25.01
Via Fondobanchetto 5
Tel. 0532.19.31.133
347.25.91.995
Piazza Sacrati, 22,
Tel. 0532.77.36.76
Piazza Castello, 10
Tel. 0532.21.18.69
Via Ragno, 31
Tel. 0532.76.90.70
C.so Porta Reno, 26/28
Tel. 0532.20.91.74
Via Saraceno, 118
Tel. 0532.79.02.89
P.za Repubblica, 11
Tel. 0532.24.25.03
Via Vecchio Reno, 26
Tel. 0532.24.25.03
Via degli Adelardi, 11
Tel. 0532.20.91.42
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Tel. 0532 765975
Via della Vittoria, 44
Tel. 0532.76.35.57
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Tel. 0532.76.80.30
Via Saraceno 85
Tel. 0532.18.27.611
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Tel. 351.691.9103
Via dei Baluardi 51
Tel. 0532.76.16.98