Ferrara, Italy – The City Worth Your While!
Ferrara is located on Emilia's great plain and a few kilometers from the Po River's southern part. You will be 50km away from the sea when here! It is a city of art, and the simplest way of enjoying its unique character is by walking the streets. You will love the Renaissance magnificence on every corner of the city, and when you dig deeper into the glorious past, you will understand its present roots.
The architecture here fuses both Renaissance and medieval and is uniquely planned. The appearance is large because of the Este family that governed it for centuries. These characteristics gave it UNESCO world heritage status; it is actually the first modern city in Europe!
What makes it so glorious anyway?
A rich past
It was the capital of art, gastronomy, politics, and culture. It also was the reference point for minstrels, poets, and artists, hosting important contemporary literary and artistic figures. You will manage to relieve that golden age when visiting the city.
Some of the monuments
Biagio Rossetti gave Ferrara an urban design concept giving, shooting it to world heritage status back in 1985. The city's history is engraved on the many monuments that await your exploration. The amazing thing is that the buildings can still narrate their stories even after so many years. Some of the must-visit monuments include:
Palazzo Schifanoia has a magnificent Hall of Months. It was frescoed back in the 15th century by Ferrarese School painters.
Palazzo Dei Diamanti was built between 1493 and 1503 the most striking feature is the bugnato of the external walls, it consists of 8500 white marble blocks carved to represent diamonds ( hence its name).
Palazzo Costabili houses The National Archaeological Museum and displays legendary finds from Spina city and relics of the Etruscan and Greek worlds.
The Estense Castle, which is the former Este duke's residence, represents Ferrara worldwide.
Monastery of Sant' Antonio has Giotto-Esque frescoes, the best religious art you can find.
The pilgrimage site of the Church of Santa Maria in Vado will take you back to the 12th-century Eucharist Miracle.
Among the things not to be missed: walking in the streets of the historic center, including Ercole Primo D’este ( named as one of the most beautiful streets in Europe), Via Delle Volte, the Jewish Ghetto, Piazza Delle Erbe, Piazza del Municipio with the imposing Staircase of Honor that led to the first residence of the d 'Este where you can still see the marble windows of the apartment where Lucrezia Borgia lived; the “ Certosa” the city Monumental Cemetery … just to name a few.
The fun
Besides the glorious history and many monuments to keep your visit days full, Ferrara also has a fun side that will keep you happy. There are plenty of fun activities and spots to choose from, depending on what works for you. These include the following;
Bike rides along castle walls. It is referred to as the city of bicycles due to its two-wheel culture. The cyclists are kings on the roads here, and its countryside and city are molded to give that pedaling pleasure. When riding along the walls of the city, you will enjoy beautiful historic surroundings and kilometers of uninterrupted pleasure.
City wall jogs. Apart from accommodating the cyclists, the city walls are also a haven for joggers. It is a jogging park for the locals, and you can run along for fun or keep fit during your stay here. The plane trees, red brick, and green lime harmoniously create a delightful setting for refreshing jogs.
Wine at the world's oldest bar. It is Al Brindisi next to the Cathedral, dating back to 1435. It is said to have attended to important figures back then, including Torquato Tasso, and Tiziano Vecellio, among others, and is a very popular spot for tourists and city inhabitants. The huge variety of wines on offer and excellent traditional dishes found here makes it among the places you can't miss while in the city.
The city through Bassani's eyes. Giorgio Bassani, a very important contemporary writer, has his narrative work set in Ferrara. It is where he grew up, and if you are a fan of his work, you will love finding the piazzas, mews, and roads described in his novels. In addition, the Ariosto Library, Finzi Contini garden, and the Synagogue make up part of his work. A walk through these locations will leave you with a fulfilling experience.
The animating events. Every season has something to offer; all you have to do is choose what satisfies your taste. Competitions, exhibitions, and parades are plenty. Still, some of the most popular include the Balloon Festival, Buskers Festival, which attracts artists and musicians from around the world, New Year's Eve with the fire of the castle, the historic Palio di San Giorgio is the oldest in the world, and other International Festival, bringing together intellectuals, writers, and journalists.
Delicious food. Nothing beats trying out the local delicacy, and Ferrara offers you exactly this. It is the home of good food with the culinary dating way back. You will love the typical dishes like the Ferrara bread “ Coppia” with an elaborate shape awarded the IGP mark, the “pasticcio Alla Ferrarese” (macaroni pie dated XV century), Salama da Sugo, pampepato, including the famous “cappellacci di Zucca” getting its name from its hat shape. It features a soft pumpkin filling and a sweetness that will delight any palate. The sweet and sour taste will leave you wanting more about this Ferrara cuisine. There are many other culinary spots around the city, so try them out and see what you love!
Ferrara is well connected both by road and by rail, within less than 1 hour you can reach Bologna, Comacchio and the sea, within 1 hour Ravenna, the Euganean spas, Padua and in 1 hour and 30 minutes Venice.
