Ferrara became an intellectual and artistic centre that attracted the greatest minds of the Italian Renaissance. The humanist concept of the 'ideal city' came to life here in 1492 and it marked the birth of modern town planning. It is an outstanding planned Renaissance city which has retained its urban fabric virtually intact. Among the great Italian cities Ferrara is the only to have an original plan that is not derived from a Roman layout. Ferrara is the only planned Renaissance town to have been completed. The guided tour will show you the city centre with the different renaissance and gothic town plannings, churches and palaces. In the castle you will discover where the Este family used to live and rule upon their Dukedom. Este's love for astrology is well shown in the Ferrara town planning and in the Hall of the Months in the Schifanoia Palace.
The tour starts with the Renaissance Herculean addition and the inner courtyard of Palazzo dei Diamanti, Corso Ercole I D'Este, the castle inner courtyard, Piazza Castello, Piazza Savonarola, Corso Martiri della Liberta, Piazza Cattedrale, the Cathedral, the Piazza del Municipio (former Ducal palace inner courtyard), Piazza Trento Trieste (former Piazza delle Erbe), via San Romano and via delle Volte and Via Ragno(old Medieval streets), Via Vittoria and Via Mazzini (former streets of the Jewish Ghetto).
The castle visit (CLOSED ON MONDAYS) includes the old kitchen, the prison of the unlucky lovers Ugo and Parisina Malatesta and Giulio Este, the roof garden with lemon and orange trees, Renata's chapel, the appartment of the mirror and the rooms used by the legacy cardinals.
In the Schifanoia Palace (CLOSED ON SUNDAYS) we will see the Hall of the Months
No entrance ticket in the city centre, entrance ticket in the Este castle: € 6,00 each, entrance ticket for the Schifanoia Palace: € 3,00 each
PAY ATTENTION
Este castle and Palazzo Schifanoia close on MONDAYS
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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