A historic university town with 200,000 inhabitants, Modena is situated in Emilia- Romagna, close to the Apennine Mountains and halfway between the Adriatic sea and the Tyrrhenian.
Modena is a city to discover by taking a stroll under the porticos or cycling along the roads following the ancient canals, in order to relive the medieval town and hear the echoes of the court of the Estense family.
Unlike better-known Italian ‘museum’ cities, crowded with tourists, Modena offers you the chance to hear and speak Italian on every corner. In the shops or on the streets you will always find someone willing to stop for a chat with you.
Modena is situated in a strategic central geographic location. It is close and well connected to several important and famous cities: Bologna, Milan, Venice, Verona, Florence, Pisa, Siena. Modena is a great starting point that allows you to discover small ‘jewels’ such as Ferrara, Ravenna, Parma, Mantova, Reggio Emilia, Cremona, Piacenza, the beaches on Romagna’s Riviera in the summertime or the ski facilities of Mount Cimone during winter season.
Modena, a great small city. Unique. With its great artistic, artisanal, industrial and human heritage, Modena is a land of excellence.
Enzo Ferrari, Luciano Pavarotti, Mirella Freni, Massimo Bottura… Prestigious names that tell how the people from Modena are: creative and pragmatic, determined, ingenious, tough, round, positive, gourmet, beauty lovers and art admirers.
Ancient and contemporary. Modena and its romanic cathedral. Modena and the Fire Room in the old city hall. Modena and the impressive baroque Duke Palace. Modena and the beauty of its many small churches. Modena, world heritage site.
Then Piazza Grande, the porticos, the cobblestone streets, the amber colour of the historic buildings, the rich opera program, music and ballet at Teatro Comunale Pavarotti, the important contemporary art exhibitions.
In the historic centre there are small goldsmith boutiques, famous instrument makers, restorers, tailors. In the suburbs and far from the city centre, there are big and well-known industries: Ferrari, Maserati, Tetra Pak, Panini Figurine, New Holland, Lamborghini, Pagani Automobili.
Chefs and innkeepers. In Modena you will find Michelin multi-star restaurants and world famous chefs, tempting you with their precious creations, just as you will also find fat and jolly innkeepers, that will offer you the traditional cuisine and great local wines.
Go old style grocery shopping in the luxurious liberty structure of Mercato Albinelli, lying under the medieval tower, where greengrocers, butchers, backers and deli workers nicely display their goods. Or take a bus and, in ten minutes time, enter one of Italy’s biggest shopping malls.
Every place in Italy owns history, traditions and unique habits. If you want to discover a more authentic Italy, choose Modena, a different destination.
