[Modena] Architecture guides – What to see (and eat) when in Modena

Ehi guys,

this year I have been twice to Modena. This city is so surprising that I had to spend two days to see almost all the spots on my list.

Modena is a really good destination for a weekend stroll or a stop in your Italian tour. It will take you 2 hours with the regional train from Milan (15,50 € for a second-class ticket) and 30 minutes from Bologna (less than 4 euro for the train) to reach the Estense’s city.

In this city you will find:

– historic city center

– modern and contemporary architecture

– graffiti

As always, here below you find the google map with all the places that I visited. You can use this when in Modena! For more travel guides check this page here.

WHAT TO SEE :

*MODENA CATHEDRAL AND GHIRLANDINA TOWER: right in the city center, as the Italian tradition asks, you find the cathedral. Unique in its style and decorations, it worths a visit. Don’t forget to see the fantastic capitols of the crypt! We also climbed the Ghirlandina tower. For 3 euro we could see the “secchia rapita”, a wooden basket stolen by Modenesi during the war with Bologna back in 1325. Plus, it is a really impressive inner space and an interesting view from the top.

* SAN CATALDO CEMETERY BY ALDO ROSSI

Although this is one of the most iconic Italian buildings of Aldo Rossi, it is at the same time probably his biggest failure. Inaugurated in 1985, the building is still an unfinished construction. The stop in the building process is absolutely critical for the cemetery spaces and leaves big empty in a big part of the plot that shouts desperation. Not to mention the tremendous inappropriate methods to close the unfinished parts. Nevertheless, beyond the usual corruption tradition that Italy preserves, it is believable that the amount of square meters designed was oversized compared to the actual needs. As a matter of fact, the constructed part is still half empty.

Yet, for those who are in love with architecture, San Cataldo is still a meaningful visit that should not be missed.

* ENZO FERRARI HOUSE AND MUSEUM BY FUTURE SYSTEM

We all know that Ferrari is famous in the entire world for being one of the finest car firm of all times. Yet, the house and the museum of the genius who found the company is not capable to reach the company high standards. Beyond the esthetic of the yellow building (yes, yellow, not red, as the color of the city of Modena, the same of the background of the Ferrari horse logo), the whole exhibit is not properly organized. In order to enjoy the visit – the museum will not be in the top five best museums ever, but Ferrari cars are absolutely extraordinary – I suggest going first to the old building, the Enzo Ferrari old house. In my opinion, the historic background presented there gives you the basics to understand the contents displayed inside the modern building. Don’t hurry to see the “movie” inside the yellow building, it is kind of useless and it will run every half an hour anyway.

Beyond bad critics on the buildings, if you are into cars or you are curious of knowing more about the topic, definitely don’t miss it. The details of these beautiful cars can be astonishing. If you are none of the above, skip this museum and to go to the restaurant.

* PALA MOLZA GRAFFITI

I was really surprised to discover that Modena has hosted a street art event called “Icone” for several years. Two big graffiti are placed right outside the city center and they are made by the hand of Blu, one the most famous street artist in Europe.

On the northern facade, you will find the gigantic octopus stretching his tentacles all over the cityscape of Modena. On the other side the representation of a man with several birds.

*Other interesting spots:

– PALAZZINA DEI GIARDINI. A small building in the park with small and precious exhibitions. We really appreciated the one on Ad Reinhardt.

– MUSEO DEL FUMETTO (Comics Museum). Here you can also find small free exhibitions.

– PALAZZO DUCALE (right next to palazzina dei giardini)

WHERE TO EAT:

* UVA D’ORO: we had lunch in this newly refurbished restaurant. I highly recommend to choose the “tagliere” (and Italian serve full of local salami, ham and cheese) and avoid all the other dishes.

Other places to try:

– Ristorante da Enzo

– Trattoria il fantino

– Taverna dei servi

 

Guys, if you like weekend trips click here. You will find a lot of nice spots to visit in one or two days that are not far from Milan.

For more places to visit in Italy and abroad, check the page with all my travel maps. They are full of tips from locals and, more importantly, they are for free!