Ducal Palace of Modena

The Ducal Palace (Italian: Palazzo Ducale ) in Modena was between the 17th and 19th centuries the seat of the court of the Este family. Since 1862, the palace houses the renowned Accademia Militare.

History

In 1288, the Marquis of Ferrara Obizzo d' Este took over the rule of Modena. He was initially set up at this point a castle, which was, however, over the centuries repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. In 1629 commissioned Francesco I d' Este, some well-known architects to design him a representative ancestral palace rather than a castle. Work on this building started from 1634 under the supervision of Gaspare Vigarani, continued by Bartolomeo Avanzini and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Also, Girolamo Rainaldi, Pietro da Cortona and Camillo - Guarino Guarini who participated in the construction.

On the occasion of the wedding of Rinaldo d' Este with Charlotte Felicitas of Brunswick- Lüneburg Marcantonio Franceschini received the contract in 1696, the ceiling of the central hall of honor ( Sala d' Onore Italian ) to decorate with a fresco.

On the square in front of the facade of the Palace (formerly Piazza Ducale, Piazza Reale later today Piazza Roma) is a memorial to Ciro Menotti, created in 1879 by Cesare Sighinolfi. This elongated facade has three towers and a staircase that leads up from the courtyard leads to the first floor. Inside the building there are several paintings and decorations of the d' Este family decorated rooms, a throne room and a rococo -equipped and decorated with gold plates room with the name " Salottino d' Oro " ( " Golden Chamber ").

At the Palazzo Ducale located close to the former ducal gardens, a park with a botanical garden and a small art museum.