Modena Favorites

Favorite thing: Modena has a very good photography associations, the Fondazione Fotografia. They organize lots of events, seminary and classes about photography.
While I was there in October 2011 there was an outstanding exhibit about Ansel Adams.

check out their calendar to see what else they offer, it is really good.

The exhibits are held in the building of Ex Ospedale Sant’Agostino
Largo Porta Sant'Agostino, 228
Tel +39 335 1621739
Fax +39 059 238966

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Favorite thing: Ducal Palace is situated on the second largest square of the town, Piazza Roma, now housing the Molitary Academy.
The palace was begun in 1635 according to the wishes of Duke Francesco I d'Este, who engaged architect Bartolomeo Avanzini for the work. For over two centuries the building was the residential palace of Este family.
The old castlebuilt by Obizzo III in 1324 was incorporated in the new building.
Despite the fact that the palace was completed over long period of time, almost three centuries, its predominantly Baroque character.

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Favorite thing: The magnificent cathedral of Modena, along with the Ghirlandina (its bellfray) and the adjacent Piazza Grande, was declared by UNESCO part of the World Heritage.
The building was begun on 9th June 1099 in predominantly Romanesque style with some Gothic elements added two centuries later. The city already had its own Cathedral, however, authorities with the citizens' approval decided that another be built in order to contain the remains of the city's patron Saint Geminianus, Bishop of Modena in the 4th century.

Favorite thing: Modena is not only City of Ferrari! There are much more to see and do. Once a Capital of Estense state (after Ferara) it's a really City of Art with many interesting building, monuments, museums... There are plenty of bars also! Cultural events are also very important. Pavarotti concerts in park are world known! Modena is also very elegant, green and rich!

Fondest memory: Walking around quiet sunday streets. Visiting open market. Enjoying in green area that encircle old City core.

Fondest memory: Modena, settembre 1982. Esco dalla stazione e annuso l'aria. Come mi accoglierà Modena questa volta? Sono prevenuto. Ci sono passato un anno fa, in autostop, con mia sorella e non ci caricava nessuno.

Le prime persone che incontro sono due ragazze splendide, dalle gambe lunghissime. Chiedo qual'è autobus per andare all'università. Gentilissime, mi accompagnano a prendere il biglietto. Cominciamo bene, penso.

Salgo sull'autobus e chiedo ad un ragazzo di spiegarmi dove si scende per l'università. 'Ci vado anch'io, ti accompagno' risponde. Sempre meglio.

Nei giardini dell'università, cerco di capire dove si trova il Centro di calcolo. 'Cosa cerchi?' mi chiede una ragazza. 'Il centro di calcolo' ripondo. 'Ci vado anch'io. Ti accompagno'. Sogno o son desto?

'Volevo solo qualche informazione...', non faccio in tempo a finire che un gruppetto di studenti mi accoglie e mi spiega tutto con dovizia di particolari....

E cosi' via. Non c'e' che dire. Modena è una città accogliente.

Favorite thing: If you have never been to Modena before the one thing you must do is go walk about on a Sunday afternoon at around 5 when everyone is parading. Then go to Cafe dell'orologio (next to Max Mara) and have an aperatif with some of the snacks from the bar. Finish off the evening in Il Grottino (via del taglio) with one of their tasty pizzas and some profiteroles for pudding.

Fondest memory: I miss Modena for its winter, when all the shops look so cold and old fashioned. I miss the tasty food from the fresh market every day. I miss club 37, and my Erasmus friends.

One of my fondest memories is the Pavarotti concert - it was suc a beautiful day and so exciting to have so many famous people in such a small town. Another fond memory is the festa della comunita and sitting on a slope in Parco Amendola listening to RAF...

Favorite thing: See the cathedral, which is indeed a typical example of the architecture of Emilia Romagna (the region where Modena and Bologna are situated): reddish (a wonderful combination of red and white marble), and - leaning! I'm really sorry that my old Zenit couldn't manage the whole height of the belfry, because it leans under a different angle than the base. Furthermore, the back part of the building (click on the photo to see better) leans in the opposite direction!


Oh, yes. Emilia Romagna does provide things to wonder about.

Favorite thing: The morning I left Modena, I was able to find the Maserati factory - a quiet Saturday morning, nobody was around (rats!) so I couldn't even walk into the offices to see about getting any brochures. Ah, well, there'a always next time... isn't there?