Ferrara. House of Este.
Why visit?
Ferrara, Italy is considered the 'City of the Renaissance'.
For two centuries, the Este family ruled Ferrara transforming the city into meeting place for the greatest Italian academics, artists, authors and architects to work and learn. The urban development that occurred during the Este family rule has been so well preserved that in 1995 UNESCO declared the city of Ferrara and its Po Delta a World Heritage site.
For two centuries, the Este family ruled Ferrara transforming the city into meeting place for the greatest Italian academics, artists, authors and architects to work and learn. The urban development that occurred during the Este family rule has been so well preserved that in 1995 UNESCO declared the city of Ferrara and its Po Delta a World Heritage site.
Highlights
Castello Estense. The Este family castle is definitely the main attraction in the city of Ferrara. It is so well preserved and full of beautiful frescoes, dungeons, and even a hanging garden.
La Bottega degli Orti. The family run farm was full of apricot trees, cherry trees and whole host of other fruit and vegetable plants. They were gracious enough to give us a pizza making class providing us with fresh mozzarella cheese and homemade tomato sauce.
City Walls. Most European cities used to be surrounded by walls to protect from invasion. Luckily, the city walls of Ferrara are largely intact and are an amazing attraction to see. There is even a walking path so you can the whole distance of the existing city walls.
Saint George Cathedral. Also known as the Ferrara Cathedral, the exterior of this Renaissance style church is magnificent and in the center of the largest square in Ferrara.
No matter what city you travel to in Italy, there is one thing that you have eat... gelato! Italians consume gelato like it's water and we did not complain one bit. In Ferrara, the best gelato shop people told us about is called Gelateria La Romana.
Gelateria La Romana. This gelateria has some of the best gelato scoops we tasted during our month long trip through northern Italy. From their unique flavors to their aesthetic, we fell in love with this little shop.
Gelateria La Romana. This gelateria has some of the best gelato scoops we tasted during our month long trip through northern Italy. From their unique flavors to their aesthetic, we fell in love with this little shop.