 Introduction
Arrival
Nearest airports are located in: Bologna (40 km), Venice (110 km) and Milan (254 km).
History and Culture
The founding of the university in 1391 was the beginning of a great new era of cultural development and splendour that made the Este court one of the most important in Europe. Some of the greatest students of humanities as well as the most important musicians of that time congregated in the city. Alongside such names as the diplomat Nicholas III, the intellectual Leonello, Borso, Ercole I who was responsible for the “Herculean Addition” to the city and Alfonso the soldier we find the names of princesses like the hapless Parisina Malatesta, the wise Eleonora dAragona, the beautiful and much maligned Lucrezia Borgia and the Calvinist intellectual Renata di Francia.
The little state always lived under threat from its powerful neighbours and was taken over by the Papal State in 1598 marking the beginning of a long period of decadence and decline. After the Napoleonic era, Ferrara was a major player in the Renaissance and later Italian Unification movements until finally becoming the modern city it is today. It has never lost touch with its deeply ingrained historical roots.
Churches and Museums
A little way southeast of the Castello in Ferrara rises the cathedral, with a magnificent facade in Lombard Romanesque style (12th-14th century), it contains pictures by artists of the Ferrara school, near the altar are two 15th century bronze statues (St Maurelius and St Georg), in the transept are busts of the apostles, and a very fine painting of “Mary with the Saints”.
San Francesco
About 500m/550yd southeast of the cathedral in Ferrara stands the church of San Francesco, a brick-built Early Renaissance building (15th century) roofed with a series of domes. Immediately east is the University (founded 1391).
Certosa
The Certosa in Ferrara is a former Carthusian house founded in 1452 and dissolved in 1796, now a cemetery and here also is a fine 15th-16th century church.
Cathedral Museum
Over the narthex in the cathedral in Ferrara is the Cathedral Museum, with pictures and sculptures, among which are the “Madonna del Melograno” by Jacopo della Quercia, as well as a Dutch tapestry by J. Karcher, based on drawings by G. Filippi and Garafola.
Palazzo di Ludovico il Moro
About 500m/550yd south of the Palazzo Schifanoia is the Palazzo di Ludovico il Moro (16th century; unfinished), with a beautiful courtyard and fine frescoes, early examples of trompe-l'oeil painting (c. 1500). It now houses the Archeological Museum (Museo Civico d'Arte Antica), which has a splendid collection of vases and other finds from the Greek-Etruscan necropolis of Spina, near Comacchio.
Historical buildings and monuments
In Via Scandiana, is the Palazzo Schifanoia (late 14th century; remodeled in 1466-93), an Este summer residence, now incorporating the Municipal Museum (Museo Civico), with miniatures, medals and fine frescoes by Francesco del Cossa and his pupils (c. 1470).
Casa dell'Ariosto (Ariosto's House)
At Via Ariosto 65, is the house in which Ariosto lived; on the first floor is the room where the poet died.
Palazzo del Paradiso
Southwest of San Francesco, in Via delle Scienze (No 17), is the Palazzo del Paradiso, occupied from 1586 to 1962 by the university and now by the Biblioteca Comunale Ariostea, with Ariosto's tomb and some of his manuscripts.
Castello Estense (Este Castle)
In the center of Ferrara is the picturesque Castello Estense, the four-towered moated castle of the Este family, begun in 1385 and partly rebuilt after 1554. The castle contains frescoes by pupils of Dosso Dossi (1489/90-1542). The roof gardens are also open to visitors.
Palazzo dei Diamanti (Palace of the Diamonds)
Opposite the Palazzo Sacrati, to the south, is the Palazzo dei Diamanti, a superb example of Early Renaissance architecture (1492-1567) which takes it name from the faceted stones of its facade. It now contains the National Gallery, with works by 15th-16th century painters of the Ferrara school.
Palazzo Sacrati or Prosperi
In the north of Ferrara, at the intersection of Corso Ercole I d'Este with Corso Rosetti/Corso di Porta Mare, are two fine palaces. On the northwest corner is the Palazzo Sacrati or Prosperi (c. 1500), with a fine doorway.
Places of Interests
South of the Castello is the Piazza Savonarola, with a monument to Savonarola, the great preacher and reformer. Here, too, we find the Palazzo Comunale, once the palace of the dukes of Este (originally built in 1243, rebuilt in the 14/15th century), with a facade of 1924.
Piazza Eleonora d'Arborea
The town centre is marked by the beautiful Piazza Eleonora, where there is a monument in honour of Eleonora d'Arborea. A 19th century statue of Eleonora di Arborea, who lived from 1340 to 1404 and was the leader of the Giudicato, or what is known as Arborea, looks out over this piazza. She is remembered for her wise leadership and success at resisting the Catalano/Aragonese, and her fair and practical rule of law was used for several centuries after her death.
Events
During the month of August, Ferrara's streets are crowded with all kinds of street performers from around the world. All are well-known and well-respected in their trade in their home countries, and have incredible and unique talents to share. Throughout the festival it seems anything is possible at any time.
Il Palio - May 27
Ferrara's Piazza Ariostea turns temporarily into a venue for madness at the end of May each year. Contestants from each of the eight districts of Ferrara race their horses in an ancient competition, the first of which was held in 1279.
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Ferrara Travel Guide
Francese - From 45€
Doppia uso Sing. - From 90€
Single room - From 48€
Suite Singola Depa - From 50€
Single room - From 45€
Single room - From 50€