Castello Estense
The city's main landmark is Castello Estense, an imposing brick castle with a moat that has served as both a fortress and a luxury residence.
The castle was built in 1385 with a clear defensive intent at the behest of Marquis Nicolò II d'Este, but was beautified and given a new look as a court residence a few centuries later. The marble balconies, the sumptuous and completely frescoed apartments and the courtyard with its 16th-century lines became a symbol of the new era of Castello Estense under the banner of elegance and grandeur that we can still admire today.
To start your visit, you can try an unusual activity, namely a boat ride on the castle moat to see the castle from a different perspective. The ride lasts about 15 minutes and includes listening to a recorded commentary in Italian or English. You will learn interesting facts about the castle and the customs of the Dukes of Este.
La Cattedrale di Ferrara
The city's main cathedral, the Cattedrale di San Giorgio, stands in the heart of Ferrara and is one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Italy. It was built in the 12th century in Romanesque style, but has been rebuilt several times over the centuries and enriched with Gothic and Renaissance elements.
The facade will certainly impress you, but also the interior, where you can see the monumental Baroque decoration with frescoes and paintings by great masters. The Piazza Trento e Trieste in front of the cathedral is the venue for markets and social events.
Palazzo dei Diamanti
The Palazzo dei Diamanti owes its name to the more than 8,500 marble blocks that form the surface of the building and resemble the shape of a diamond.
Today, the palace is the centre of important art exhibitions, which offer visitors a rich programme on the ground floor throughout the year.
Ferrara by bike
For those who want to start exploring the city itself, we recommend the Ferrara Walls route, which is 9 km long and passes through the historic centre and the most famous places in the city. We recommend starting this route from the Castello Estense. Following the Corso Ercole d'Este, you will reach the Porta degli Angeli. From here you will see 9 km of walls that encircle the historic centre of Ferrara. The trail is also suitable for pedestrians.
Ferrara is one of the best preserved Renaissance cities in Italy and its monuments are a testament to the glorious past of the d'Este family. Whether you're strolling among the opulent palaces, discovering hidden monasteries or enjoying the myriad ofst gastronomy in the historic piazza, Ferrara will enchant you with its elegance and history at every turn.
