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MODENA
The right side of the Cathedral
opens into the Piazza Grande on which the old Palazzo Comunale
sits, crowned by a Torre con Orologio (Clock-tower).
The large roads which run round the centre correspond to the
old circular wall (16th Century).
The Palazzo dei Musei (18th Century) is also noteworthy and
houses the Galleria Estense, the Estense Museum and the Estense
Library (illuminated manuscripts, amongst which the Bibbia
di Borso d’Este and the Breviario di Ercole (15th Century).
The Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace) (18th Century) is the old
royal palace of the Estensi and is one of the largest buildings
in Italy. The origins of the building date back to 1629: its
characterized by an imposing façade, a magnificent
internal courtyard and by frescoed rooms of precious workmanship.
It’s the seat of the Military Academy.
It has to be underlined, that Modena, apart from being a city
of art, is also a city that represents two Italian myths of
the motor industry, famous throughout the world: the Ferrari
and the Maserati, which are still produced today in area’s
industry.
On the outskirts of Modena, the small centre
of Nonantola merit a visit for its beauty
and suggestive Abbey, although today only the church remains.
Founded in the 8th Century by the Longobards, it belongs to
the Benedictines, who brought it to great richness and fame
during the medieval period. It was an important cultural centre,
with its own typographical look, which came about during the
course of the 1400’s. The church, in a Roman Lombard
shape, is how it can be seen today and dates back to the 12th
Century. The large door is ornate with its precious Roman
reliefs, similar in style to that of the Cathedral of Modena.
The arched part is also precious from an architectural point
of view.
The interior is austere and suggestive. The Abbey’s
treasures preserve precious illuminated manuscripts, parchments
and relics from the 11th and 12th Centuries.
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