Things to see and do Ferrara

In the heart of the medieval quarter, this long narrow street has become one of the symbols of Ferrara. In the past, most of the city's commercial activities took place here. Its name comes from the volte, the transverse arches that connected the merchants' houses on the south side of the street to the depots on the north side. According to another interpretation, the arches were used to reclaim living space in a densely populated neighbourhood. Some are now arranged in small terraces. This picturesque street deserves to be walked from end to end.

Erected in the 12th century, it is dedicated to Saint George, represented in the tympanum of the central portal. The façade is a harmonious synthesis of Romanesque and Gothic styles. On the right flank, the majestic marble bell tower rises, built between 1451 and 1596 according to a design by Leon Battista Alberti. Inside, the baroque style of the 18th century dominates. In the apse, a Last Judgement by Bastianino (a pupil of Michelangelo) who, out of revenge, is said to have sculpted the face of his fiancée among convicts, as she did not wish to marry him!

Built from the mid-13th century, this palace was the first residence of the Este family before the court was transferred to the castle in the 16th century. Access to the palace and its court is marked by the statues of Niccolo III on horseback (right) and Duke Borso d'Este on the throne (left). In the Ducal Court, nowadays the Municipal Piazzetta, you can see the Renaissance staircase of the 15th century. On its left is the former chapel, the Capella Ducale (now converted into a theatre), which in its time housed numerous choirs.

Of medieval origin, it was renovated in 1494 by Biagio Rossetti, the architect of the Estensi. The interior is rich in art of the th and th centuries.

Ferrara is divided into two parts by a west-east axis formed by viale Cavour and corso Giovecca. To the south, the historic centre, with the cathedral and medieval alleys. To the north is a new district commonly known as the Addizione Erculea since it was built ex novo at the end of the 15th century at the request of Hercules I d'Este. The project was not a simple extension of the urban fabric, but a well thought-out urban planning project. The old walls on the north side were demolished and the architect Biaggio Rossetti created a new Renaissance quarter around two axes (corso Ercole I d'Este and the corsi Porta Po, Biagio Rossetti and Porta di Mare). At the intersection of the two axes, the Quadrivio degli Angeli with its beautiful palaces, among which the Palazzo dei Diamanti. This project was also a response to another idea. Traced within a square representing the horoscope of yesteryear, the two avenues corresponded to the equinoxes and the Diamond Palace to the position of the sun. In this Addizione, everything has been thought out down to the last detail in a scenographic way, taking into account the ancient part of the city. The majestic palaces follow one another, the wide avenues are a pleasant stroll and at the same time offer beautiful views, especially of the Castello Estense, which, with the addition of this new district, is at the centre of the urban fabric. At the time, this project was not only innovative, but brilliant, hence the title Ferrara acquired as the first modern city in Europe.

The origins of the Jewish community in Ferrara date back to the 15th century, when the d'Este family welcomed Jews from Rome, Spain and Germany. In 1627 the Pontifical Government established the ghetto which was located between Via Mazzini, Via Vignatagliata and Via Vittoria. Five gates blocked access from sunset to sunrise; they were knocked down by the new kingdom of Italy in 1859. Today, the ghetto is a quiet neighbourhood, with pebble-paved streets lined with small houses, some of which have Spanish-style balconies.