Located in the Po Valley, Modena is a city of exquisite art, fast cars and modern infrastructure. With one of the highest per capita incomes in Italy, Modena offers a stark contrast to some of the more impoverished surrounding cities. This ancient locale is known not just for its examples of Baroque architecture and extensive art collections, but also for its famous exports.


The Romans established Modena in the second century B.C. The town became the home of a large-scale oil lamp factory, which was one of the first Roman mass-production facilities. Over the years the city prospered for the most part. Even though Modena became a free municipality during the Middle Ages, political ownership of the city has changed hands frequently throughout the years. After World War II, Modena city was rebuilt, giving it a more modern look compared to other Italian locales.

Claims to Fame

Modena is home to the sports and race car manufacturers Ferrari, Maserati and De Tomaso. While the plants are off limits to tourists, the Galleria Ferrari, located in nearby Maranello, has a public showroom and gallery. One of Modena's most famous landmarks is the Il Duomo, a 12th-century cathedral and a Unesco World Heritage Site. The church's defining feature is its large Gothic-style rose window. Foodies might associate Modena with balsamic vinegar, as the region is a major producer. During Settimana Estense, locals fill the streets, decked out in Renaissance attire, alongside vendors, artists, mimes and other live performers for the week-long festival, which ends in a parade. Some might also know Modena as the birthplace of operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti.


Ducal Palace -- a palace for the Este family in the 17th century -- is now the city's military academy. Tourists can view this example of Baroque architecture from the outside, as the palace is closed to the public. The Palace Museum, or Palazzo dei Musei, features several galleries, a research library and exhibitions of local Paleolithic and medieval relics. Tourists can rest their feet at the Parco Amendola, which has a collection of ice cream stands, cafes and bars.

Environmental Efforts

Since the early '90s, Modena has implemented an Energy and Environment Strategy, which earned the city the Climate Star 2002 award and first place at Eurosolar 2003 for its climate protection policies. The intention of the policies is to reduce greenhouse gasses and raise awareness about climate change issues.

Getting There and Around

The train from Bologna to Modena leaves every 30 minutes; the Parma train leaves every hour. Motorists can take the A1 Highway from Bologna, Rome or Milan and the A22 from Mantua and Verona. Look for the bus station on Via Fabriani, and pick up ATCM's bus line 7 to connect to the train station or city center.

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