Modena

The town is well-known all over the world, especially for some famous people who were born and lived here such as Enzo Ferrari and Luciano Pavarotti, and for some of its gastronomical products, such as tortellini, Lambrusco wine, balsamic vinegar, and Parmesan cheese.
It is a town that, since the 1970s, has become one of the richest and most socially advanced in Italy: 77 km of cycling paths, 16 cinemas, 25 libraries, and one of the oldest universities in Europe. It sits at the crossroads between the Brenner motorway and the Autostrada del Sole, 40 km from the important railway and airport node of Bologna. Tourists from all over the world visit the art treasures in Modena: the 12th-century cathedral and masterpieces of Italian Romanesque art, that together with the Piazza Grande and the Ghirlandina tower, create a complex of unique beauty, included by UNESCO in the "World Heritage list".

Tourist information

• IAT Modena

  phone: +39 059 203 2660
  address: Piazza Grande, 14

By plane

The nearest airport is Guglielmo Marconi Airport in Bologna, about 6 km from Bologna train station and 40 km from Modena. The airport can be reached:

• by motorway A1 Milano–Bologna
• by train along the Modena–Bologna line, which provides frequent service
• by a shuttle bus from 05:15-21:30 from Modena to the airport and from 06:15-22:30 from the airport to Modena. The fare is €15 per person. Tickets can be bought on the bus. Baggage is free and minors accompanied by at least two relatives travel free of charge.

By train

• Stazione

  address: Piazza Dante, 14
  Modena is on the train line, Milano-Piacenza-Parma-Modena-Bologna, so it can easily be reached from the main nearest towns. At the station you'll find a number of ATCM buses (the local transport company), by which you can reach the main areas of the town or the surroundings. National Call centre Trenitalia (train schedules and booking service) 892021, every day 24 hours. For assistance to the disabled phone 199 303060. Window for national and international railway tickets: Hours: daily 06:00-21:00. Self-service ticket machines are available. There's no left-luggage office.

By bus

• Autostazione

  phone: +39 80 011 1101
  address: Via Bacchini, 1
  Modena can be reached by any of a large number of suburban buses, which connect it to the most relevant villages of the surrounding province (Carpi, Sassuolo, Fiorano, Campogalliano, Correggio, Soliera, Vignola, Pavullo, Nonantola, Maranello, and others). Modena Province is divided into 41 districts, each with a different fee. The ticket is valid for a limited amount of time once you get on the bus, depending on the specific district.

By car

The town can be reached by motorway A1 Milano-Napoli. Exit Modena Nord (5km from the town centre) or Modena Sud (10 km from the town centre). The town is at the south end of motorway A22.

By public transit

Modena is well served by a trolleybus service, one of the largest in Italy, composed of 3 lines, and a bus service. All public transport is provided by SETA.
Urban public transport run from 06:00-21:00. The night urban line 7N runs from 20:30-22:30. Extra-urban buses run through the surrounding province at many different times and on many different routes.

Tickets

Tickets can be bought directly on the bus (automatic ticket machine), outside the railway station or at the autostazione (also on the mobile app Roger of Tper spa).

By car

Modena is crossed by a major road, the Via Emilia, a historic Roman road that connected Modena with other important towns and cities of the region, and that still represents one of the main traffic ways in Italy. The road runs through the middle of the town, in an east-west direction.
The historic centre of the town is a restricted area (ZTL), meaning only residents, commercial operators, or tourists staying at hotels in the centre and with a special permit can go there. Access is regulated by an automated system, named Modena City Pass, which allows local police to monitor cars and motorbikes through a network of webcams placed at access points. These webcams are always on and continuously register the number plates of passing cars, sending the information to a control and alerting system.
In other areas, parking is in part free (identified by a white line) and in part with fee (blue line); the amount of the fee depends on the city area. Payments can be made with coins by nearby park meters. On Sundays and public holidays parking is free. Alternatively, payments can be made with a prepaid card (€20), purchased at ACI (Automobil Club Italia) offices or at some tobacconists in the town centre. Parking is usually free at night (20:00-08:00).

By taxi

Two radio taxi services are available 24/7, also for trips in the province or even further. The services include booking by SMS and services for disabled people.

• Area Taxi

  phone: +39 059 212100

• Co.Ta.Mo

  phone: +39 059 374242, +39 335 1838555 (SMS)

By bicycle

Bicycles can be rented at:

• C'entro in bici

  address: Piazza Grande 14
  This is an Italian word pun that refers to the possibility of cycling to the centre. Modena offers everyone a free bicycle. You can take free yellow bicycles at the Tourist Information Office where you fill in a form and pay a deposit. Tourists must be of legal age and have a valid ID. This service is also available in a number of other locations, mostly at the north-east of Italy.

• Novi Sad Park

  address: Viale Monte Kosica

• Policlinico

On foot

The town is easily walked, though it occupies more than 183,000 m². In the historic centre, inside where the city wall once stood, are found the most important buildings.

Piazza Grande

A UNESCO heritage site. It is the centre of life of the city. It is a festive, crowded place on Saint's Day (31 January) in honour of the local patron saint, San Geminiano, and on the Thursday before Lent. In front, in the apse of the cathedral, the pole, tile, brick, and fathom units of measure are engraved, to assure honest trading in the piazza. This bears witness to the fact that the piazza was a place of great economic importance and the heart of the city.

• CathedralAudioguides can be useful to discover the cathedral, the cathedral museums, Piazza Grande, and the town hall. They are available in Italian, English, French, German, and Spanish. You can rent them, accompanied by a folding leaflet with maps of the monuments, at the museums of the cathedral and Tourist Information Office in Piazza Grande 14 for €4, plus entrance to the museums or monuments.

• Cathedral Museums

  address: Via Lanfranco, 6

• Torre Ghirlandina

  address: Piazza Torre
  86 m high and the symbol of the city. UNESCO has added the Ghirlandina, together with the cathedral and Piazza Grande, to its list of heritage sites.

Other attractions

• Palazzo Comunale

  address: Piazza Grande, 16

• Palazzo dei Musei

  phone: +39 059 203 3125
  address: Viale Vittorio Veneto, 5
  The Museum Building, built in the 18th century, was converted in 1881 into a museum housing the paintings and books of the Este family.

• Palazzo Ducale di Modena

  address: Piazza Roma, 15
  The former palace of the Duke, who ruled Modena until 1859. Today the palace is the headquarters of the Military Academy. The museum of the military academy displays weapons, memorabilia, and military items (flags, uniforms, drums, etc.

• Palazzo Santa Margherita

• Giardini PubbliciThe former gardens of the Ducal palace.

• Palazzina dei Giardini

  phone: +39 059 203 2940
  address: Corso Canalgrande, 103
  It was built as a greenhouse, and now hosts Galleria Civica.

• Botanical Gardens

Cimitero San Cataldo

Churches

• Sant'Agostino

  address: Via Emilia
  A pantheon for the Estense family.

• Chiesa di Santa Maria della PomposaOne of the oldest chureches in Modena — it was mentioned 1st in 1153.

• Chiesa di San Francesco

  address: Rua Frati Minori 19
  Next to the former St. Francis convent.

• Chiesa di San Biagio del CarmineBuilt in 1319, reconstructed in 1649.

• Chiesa di San BartolomeoA Jesuit church built in the 17th century.

• Abbazia dei padri Benedettini di San Pietro

Automotive museums

• Automobili PaganiGuided tours of the factory are available only by reservation M-F, or on Saturday morning but without workers. The guided tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.

• Enzo Ferrari Home Museum

  address: Via Paolo Ferrari, 85
  The house in which Enzo Ferrari was born in 1898. Its ultramodern external structure in yellow aluminium suggests the bonnet of a car. The museum's mission is to acquaint the public with Modena's dedication to the automobile and racing, as well as with the story of this great figure in the history of car design and manufacturing. Exhibits include multimedia installations and displays.

• Ferrari Museum

  address: Via Dino Ferrari, 43
  Traces the history of the Ferrari firm and of its car. The Ferrari Museum in Maranello also offers its visitors a guided bus tour inside the Fiorano test-track proving grounds and Viale Enzo Ferrari, an avenue which runs through the cluster of new production and other buildings making up the Ferrari "cittadella". Visitors may not leave the bus or take photographs or videos during the tour. Booking in advance is recommended.

• Righini Private Collection of Vintage Cars

• Stanguellini Vintage Car Museum

  phone: +39 059 2032660
  address: Via Emilia Est, 756
  Opened in 1996.

• Umberto Panini Vintage Car and Motorcycle MuseumDisplays a variety of classic cars and motorcycles, including an exquisite group of Maseratis.

Tours

• Balsamic Vinegar Factory Tour

  phone: +39 059 203 2660
  To visit a balsamic vinegar production "acetaia", you can contact the Modena tourist office. They'll book a tour for you in one of the factories on the day you request.

Events

• International Festival of Military Bands

  phone: +39 059 203 3020
  Modena international military tattoo. Musicians from militaries around the world parade, give concerts, and great performances.

• Modena World of MotorsExhibition of luxury vehicles in the historic centre. Exhibition and show of cars and motorcycles by Ferrari, Maserati, et al.

• Philosophy Festival

  phone: +39 059 203 3382
  address: Largo Porta Sant' Agostino 337
  For 3 days Modena, Carpi, and Sassuolo offer meetings with the greats of contemporary thought with philosophic dinners, films, shows, and exhibitions.

Theatres

• Cinema Teatro Michelangelo

  phone: +39 059 343662
  address: Via Giardini, 257

• Luciano Pavarotti Municipal Theatre

  phone: +39 059 203 3010
  address: Corso Canalgrande, 85

• Teatro delle Passioni

  phone: +39 059 301880, +39 059 2136021 (to book)
  address: Viale Carlo Sigonio, 382

• Teatro Storchi

  phone: +39 059 213 6011, +39 059 213 6021 (to book)
  address: Largo Garibaldi, 15

• Trattoria Aldina

  phone: +39 059 236106
  address: Via Luigi Albinelli 40
  Specialities: tortellini, veal escalope in balsamico sauce, brassato (beef in red wine sauce).

• Antica Pasticceria S. Biagio

  phone: +39 059 217284
  address: Via Emilia Centro 77
  Speciailties are 'barozzi (chocolate cake) and rosine.

• La Messicana Torrefazione

  phone: +39 059 211204
  address: Via Farini 37
  Coffee tasting at its best.

• Caffeteria Giusti

  phone: +39 059 219132
  address: Via Farini 71

Splurge

• Osteria Francescana

  phone: +39 59 210 118
  address: Via Stella 22
  Constantly voted as one of the world's best restaurants, Osteria Francescana under the guidance of head chef Massimo Bottura elevates Italian cuisine to it's finest.

On Via Taglio, Via Gallucci, and Piazza della Pomposa there are many cafés and pubs, wine bars, and brunch-cafés.

• Baluardo della Cittadella

  phone: +39 059 244 309

• Caffè Concerto

  phone: +39 059 222 232
  address: Piazza Grande, 26

Mid-range

• Villa Gaidello Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +39 059 926806
  address: Via Gaidello 18
  A large farm and estate of renovated farmhouses dating back to the 1700-1800s, surrounded by lush grounds and trees.

Splurge

• Hotel Real Fini Baia Del Re

  phone: +39 059 2051530
  address: Via Vignolese 1684
  Premium business hotel with 84 rooms, located outside the city along the highway.

• Mercato Albinelli

  address: Via Luigi Albinelli 13
  Art nouveau market hall with lots of pasta, vegetables, fruits, cheese and sausage specialities.

• Enogastronomia Giusti

  phone: +39 059 222533
  address: Via Farini 74
  All types of regional specialities, great selection of wines

• Azienda Pedroni

  phone: +39 059 549019
  address: Via Risala 4
  Great choice of balsamico vinegar.

• Main Post Office

  phone: +39 059 2053337
  address: via Emilia Centro, 86
  Thirty other post offices in town.

• Municipal Wi-FiWi-Fi is available in many areas of the town. For the service you must ask the municipality for an account. A deposit is required. Apply here:

• Antonio Delfini Municipal Library

  phone: +39 059 203 2940
  address: Corso Canalgrande, 103

• Information at Palazzo dei Musei

  phone: +39 059 203 3125
  address: Viale Vittorio Veneto, 5

• Public Relations Office

  phone: +39 059 20312
  address: Piazza Grande, 17

• Carpi — N of Modena, the town features the 3rd largest square in Italy.
• Nonantola — a small town mainly known for the Abbazia di Nonantola.
• Maranello — this town is all about Ferrari.