Ferrara, one of the provincial capitals of Emilia Romagna, a city of immense and superb beauty that reached its splendour and beginnings in the Renaissance, becoming the capital and shining, iconic enclave of a very influential independent Duchy during the golden age of the noble Este Lordship.
This centre boasts a remarkable historical, cultural, architectural and monumental heritage, this Emilian city had among its guests in different periods illustrious historical figures who were enchanted by the flourishing and jovial life offered within the Este walls, namely Tiziano Vecellio, Andrea Mantegna, Pietro Bembo, Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, Ludovico Ariosto, Torquato Tasso, Paracelsus and Nicolaus Copernicus.
I suggest starting your visit near the famous medieval red brick walls that surround the city center for about 9000 meters, one of the largest impregnable defensive systems developed in the Middle Ages and Renaissance in Europe.
This extensive protective bulwark was developed with its main entrances corresponding to Porta Paola erected in the seventeenth century and Porta degli Angeli, the latter known for having been crossed by the last Duke of the House of Este, Cesare which opens onto the Ferrara countryside near the banks of the Po river.
This gate was erected next to the ramparts erected at the behest of Alfonso II with easy access to the imposing Bulwark of the Mountain .
Around the perimeter walls stand the Towers of San Giovanni , developed on a circular plan where the path of the guards and the Barco began, which was part of the nucleus corresponding to the 15th century.
Continuation with the iconic Estense Castle, a stronghold dating back to 1385, erected by the architect Bartolino da Novara following the orders of Nicolò d'Este, originally built as a defensive fortress later becoming the official residence of the court of the Duchy.
The project was conceived around the already existing Tower of the Lions, which remained part of the complex and with four quadrangular towers placed on each cardinal point connected by an impassable wall.
Over the course of its history, the structure was modified on several occasions to improve its functionality until 1450 when the last variation was to transform that sort of military stronghold into a very large, aristocratic residence.
Continue with the beautiful Cathedral of St. George built in 1135, a marvel of medieval art that boasts extraordinary marble decorations and a design of the external layout where every architectural element was inserted with perfect criteria.
The façade is absolutely magnificent with a beautiful central portal and a porch dating back to the seventeenth century where in its lunette you can admire the image of St. George of Nicholas and part of the complex an unfinished bell tower erected by the architect Leon Battista Alberti.
Visit of the interior which contains magnificent masterpieces such as the Last Judgement executed by the talented artist Bastianino covering the vault, a sublime work with clear inspiration from that of Michelangelo Buonarroti developed in the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
You can also admire the beautiful semicircular apse designed by Biagio Rossetti and the refined Loggia dei Merciai dating back to the 15th century.
Continuation with the wonderful Doge's Palace erected in 1243, residence of the Dukes of Este until the 16th century before moving to the Castle.
Inside you will notice what was the ducal court before being transformed into the Municipal Square and where you will be delighted by a valuable work by the architect Pietro Benvenuti corresponding to a staircase developed in 1481 and the former Court Chapel which was built at the wish of Ercole I d'Este and currently home to a theater hall.
Not to be missed is a visit to the Duchesses' Dressing Room which is said to have been the room occupied by Lucrezia and Eleonora D'Este, a refined space of the 500 lavishly decorated and the Sala dell' Arengo containing contemporary frescoes executed between 1934 and 1938 by Achille Fumi.
Time for your lunch, remaining in the typical, local, I suggest among the first courses Cappellacci with Pumpkin or Tagliatelle with Meat Sauce, second courses to choose between Salama with Potato Puree or Grilled Pork Rib with Spinach and Sautéed Zucchini
Afterwards enjoy a pleasant walk in Via delle Volte enlivened by various arches and vaults and Via Ripagrande which represent the two vital arteries of the city axis that in the past constituted the commercial part of Ferrara, the first landing place of barges and barges transporting goods on the Po river.
The second boasts at number 112 the beautiful fourteenth-century Casa Gombi and other buildings of great charm from the 1400s.
Continue with the visit of the Jewish Ghetto of Ferrara which winds through Via Mazzini, Via della Vittoria and Via Vignatagliata including Piazza Lampronti built in the seventeenth century due to the Papal Laws, a place that shows characteristic houses leaning against each other with balconies and windows in iron, large cornices and entrance portals to courtyards decorated in terracotta.
Continuation with the beautiful Church of the Gesù located along Via Borgoleoni designed by the architects Giovanni Tristani and Alberto Schiatti .
Erected in 1570 at the behest of the Confraternity of Jesuit Fathers, you can admire the splendid façade divided into two sections where in the lower part there are three beautiful decorated portals and four outlined niches.
The interior has a nave with six side chapels where we can admire seven life-size statues made of colored terracotta depicting illustrious figures of the Este Duchy and transferred to this church in 1938 from the Church of Santa Rosa.
Continuation with the mausoleum of Barbara of Austria, a sixteenth-century sepulchral monument of the wife of Duke Alfonso II d'Este located in the apse behind the altar, the work of Francesco Casella.
You will then arrive in front of one of the architectural symbols of Ferrara or Palazzo dei Diamanti erected in 1493 by the architect Biagio Rossetti and dedicated to Sigismondo d'Este, a construction built using 8,500 blocks of marble worked in the shape of a diamond with a position that allowed residents to have a complete view of other buildings in the center of Ferrara.
In 1832 this architectural masterpiece was purchased by the Municipality and today corresponds to the headquarters of the Contemporary Civic Gallery located on the ground floor while the National Art Gallery was set up on the second floor .
Later you can admire another noble building, namely Palazzo Prospero – Sacrati, erected in the same year as the Palazzo dei Diamanti to house Francesco da Castello, who was the trusted physician of Duke Ercole I d'Este, who died in 1511 shortly before the last works were completed.
The structure shows a splendid corner pillared façade with a spurious balcony added in 1857 and a portal decorated with friezes and cherubs that support the balcony and currently home to a museum space.
The visit can end with the Municipal Theatre , a beautiful building built in 1798 that hosts a calendar full of events with special mention to Opera and contemporary music.
Visiting Ferrara with its immense historical, artistic and cultural heritage is a unique journey, an unforgettable experience for those who love tourism and enrich their knowledge with something truly unique.
Link : https://www.inferrara.it/en/homepage
Where to Stay | Recommended Hotels
Princess Art Hotel
Hotel Torre della Vittoria 1928
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks a lot to read and note.