Hello travelers. On our trip through Italy we will stop in Modena. Let’s see what attractions this city has to offer.
Modena is a city and comune in northern Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna region, in the province of Modena. It is situated in the Po Valley. Two rivers flow through it: Secchia and Panaro. The Tuscan-Emilian Apennines lie 10 km from the city.
Modena is famous for its atmospheric streets, delicious cuisine, phenomenal music and sports cars. The city is famous mainly because the singer Luciano Pavarotti was born here.
Casa Museo Luciano Pavarotti
Casa Museo Luciano Pavarotti, Modena
Casa Museo Luciano Pavarotti, Modena
The House of the Luciano Pavarotti Museum is the house that Maestro Pavarotti built in the countryside of Modena, in a large estate where he spent the last years of his life. At home, Luciano eagerly welcomed guests and gave them singing lessons. The current museum houses private items, furniture and clothes, awards, souvenirs and recordings of the famous tenor.
There is a monument to Pavarotti in the very center of the city. Not far away there is a theater which is also named after the singer. On the monument, the tenor was presented in a characteristic tailcoat, with raised arms and full concentration on his face, and in his hand a characteristic scarf that Luciano always wore at concerts. The city managers and residents are proud that the famous Luciano Pavarotti comes from their town. Tourists also eagerly look for traces of the famous musician.
Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari
Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari, Modena
The world-famous Ferrari brand comes from Italy. And it is in Modena that motoring fans will have the opportunity to visit the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari. The museum is dedicated to the life and work of Enzo Ferrari, founder of the Ferrari sports car brand. The museum complex includes two separate buildings, a former house and workshop belonging to Enzo Ferrari’s father, and a new building designed by the architecture studio Future Systems.
Museo Umberto Panini
Museo Umberto Panini, Modena
The Museo Umberto Panini (Museum of Maserati) is also located in Modena itself. The name of the museum comes from the name of a private collector – Umberto Panini. It presents historic Maserati vehicles as well as modern and luxurious ones.
20 km from Modena there is the Lamborghini Museum – another automotive point on the map of the region. In the local modern building you can see such iconic models as the Countach, Diablo and Aventador.
Piazza Grande
The heart and center of Modena is Piazza Grande. The characteristic square has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For centuries, the square has been the seat of religious and entertainment life for residents who can stroll and meet friends. Here we will find a wonderful cathedral in the Romanesque style with a soaring tower. The tall Torre Ghirlandina reaches a height of 86.12 m (282 feet).
Cathedral: Museo del Duomo – Museo Lapidario
Museo Lapidario Estense
In Piazza Grande is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Modena, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Geminian. The Museo Lapidario del Duomo houses valuable sculptural finds that uniquely show the history of the cathedral over the centuries. The Museo del Duomo, in turn, was built during the Great Jubilee of 2000 and constitutes a significant part of the treasury of the Modena Cathedral.
Museo dell’Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena
Museum of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
I also recommend a trip to the balsamic vinegar museum. Traditional balsamic vinegar is made in the ancient area of ”Domini Estensi” from boiled grape must, slowly matured in vinegar. By visiting the museum, we can learn about every stage of the balsamic vinegar production process. You can also take part in a unique Modena experience and contribute to supporting continuity and respect for centuries-old traditions. Guided tours can be booked by phone or e-mail.
There are many interesting places to discover in Modena. It is a real treat to learn about Pavarotti’s history or visit famous Italian car brands. The city is an extremely aesthetic place, with beautiful facades of old buildings, wooden shutters and cozy alleys. It is definitely worth visiting the cathedral and its museums and learning about the process of making traditional local balsamic vinegar.
