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Palace · Módena, Emília-Romanha
Palazzo Ducale di Modena
Baroque palace that was the residence of the dukes d'Este for more than two centuries. Today it houses the Accademia Militare and can only be visited on guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Palazzo Ducale di Modena
In 1598 the Este lost Ferrara to the papacy and moved the court to Módena. The present palace began to be built in 1634 to a design by the Roman architect Bartolomeo Avanzini, and it was the ducal residence until 1859, when the last duke, Francesco V, left the city.
The light-coloured façade occupies an entire side of the Piazza Roma. Since the unification of Italy, the palace has housed the Accademia Militare, the training school for officers of the Italian army, and for that reason visits follow specific rules.
The guided tour goes through the Cortile d'Onore, the grand staircase, the loggia, the former private apartments of the dukes and the Appartamento di Stato, with decorated reception rooms. It also includes the Accademia's historical museum, with weapons, uniforms, flags and military objects.
Visits take place on Saturdays and Sundays, organised by the city's tourist office, with mandatory reservation and submission of each participant's details. Most groups are in Italian; tours in English depend on prior request.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour 30 minutes, including the meeting at the tourist office; the tour inside the palace lasts about 1 hour.
Best time
Only on Saturdays and Sundays, by reservation. The Accademia may cancel visits in exceptional cases; confirm before you go.
How to get there
The palace is on the Piazza Roma, about a 5-minute walk from the Piazza Grande. The meeting point for the tour is the city's tourist office.
Tip
Make the reservation several days in advance and bring photo ID. There are stairs and barriers on the route; notify this when booking if anyone has mobility difficulties.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Palazzo Ducale di Modena
Can you enter the palace without a guided tour?
No. As it houses the Accademia Militare, entry is only possible on guided tours, on Saturdays and Sundays, with a reservation.
Is the tour in Portuguese?
No. Most tours are in Italian; in English only by prior request to the tourist office.
Why did the Este come to Modena?
In 1598 the papacy took Ferrara, which until then had been the Este capital, and the court moved to Modena, which became the ducal capital.