Thanks to this tour you will learn about the Este family and their relationship with the Jewish community of Modena and discover where the old Ghetto, built in 1638, was. The tour starts in Piazza Roma, where the Estes lived, and goes down up to Piazza Mazzini, heart of the old Jewish Ghetto. Due to the Jewish demographic development some other streets were added to the Ghetto in 1783. On Piazza Mazzini stands the synagogue built in 1869. The large synagogue is used for festivities while for everyday's life the German rite oratory, located in the same building, is used. The tour goes on with the Unesco site of the Ghirlandina tower, the cathedral of Saint Geminiano and the Piazza Grande where stands the old Town hall and the city Archive where 126 file books are wrapped into Jewish manuscripts, for this reason Modena is considered the biggest deposit of recycled Jewish manuscripts in the world. Down the old Roman via Emilia you will reach Porta Sant'Agostino where the Este Library houses important Hebrew manuscripts bought in 1573.
ITINERARY
Piazza Roma, meeting up location, where the ducal Estes' Palace is located, Via Farini, Piazza Mazzini and the Synagogue*, vicolo Squallore, vicolo Blasia, via Coltellini, via del Taglio, via Torre, all streets belonging to the old Jewish ghetto, Via Emilia, the old Roman street, Piazza Grande Unesco site together with the Ghirlandina tower and the romanesque cathedral of patron saint Geminiano, largo Porta Sant'Agostino where the Este's gallery is.
*PAY ATTENTION:
The synagogue is open from Monday to Friday in the morning.
Reservation for the visit is to be made WELL in advance.
MEETING PLACE
Piazza Roma where the Ducal Palace entrance is. The ducal palace is a huge palace standing along one side of Piazza Roma. Where the Palace entrance is there are two big statues I'll wait for you exactly there. In case you reach Modena by car Piazza Roma is a parking site, too
My name is Manuela and I’m a professional licensed tour guide in Mantua (It.Mantova), Ferrara, Bologna, Modena and Parma. I was born in the middle of the Po Valley on the border between Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Regions, and it was natural for me to become a licensed guide in both regions. I'm a mix of the two cultures I get along with the Lombard pragmatism and the Emilian jovial and open minded lifestyle. But from both cultures, above anything else, I have taken the best: culture, history, art and …why not … good food and wines! I love showing people the best these cities and their provinces can offer. Follow me and you will discover not only beautiful squares and ancient buildings, but also less known city corners, everyday life stories and the reason why this area is called the “Italian Food Valley”. I love enjoying the wonder of my guests while I'm talking about art and history, looking at their open mouthed faces, see their surprising eyes and hear their exciting comments and, last but not least, … their delight in looking, smelling and tasting our typical products. I can provide private guided tours for Individuals, families, small and big groups, school groups, walking day and night tours and … custom-made tours. If You have questions please ask me without hesitation. Try and Be my SPECIAL GUESTS! Full profile ⋅ Leave a Review
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