Information AboutModena |
Modena (; ''Mòdna'' in Modenese dialect) is a city and a '' Comune '' ( Municipality ) on the south side of the Po valley, in the Province Of Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy . An ancient town, it is the seat of an Archbishop , but is now best known as "the capital of engines", since the factories of the famous Italian Sports Car makers Ferrari , Bugatti , De Tomaso , Lamborghini , Pagani and Maserati are located there, and all, except Lamborghini, have headquarters in the city or nearby. Additionally, Lamborghini is headquartered not far away in a small village in the adjacent Province Of Bologna . The University Of Modena , founded in 1175 and expanded by Francesco II D'Este in 1686 , has traditional strengths in medicine and law. Italian officers are trained at the Italian Military Academy, located in Modena, and partly housed in the Baroque ducal palace. The Biblioteca Estense houses historical volumes and 3,000 manuscripts. Modena is well known in culinary circles for its production of Balsamic Vinegar . It also is the birthplace of the Panini Collectable Stickers . Other famous ''Modenesi'' are operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007) and soprano Mirella Freni , born in Modena itself; the Catholic Priest and Senior Exorcist of Vatican Fr. Gabriele Amorth ; and the rock singer Vasco Rossi who was born in Zocca , one of the 47 '' Comuni '' in the Province Of Modena . GEOGRAPHY Modena lies on the Pianura Padana , and is bounded by the two rivers Secchia and Panaro , both affluents of the Po River . Their presence is symbolized by the Two Rivers Fountain in the city's center, by Giuseppe Graziosi. The city is connected to the Panaro by the Naviglio channel. The Apennines ranges begin some 10 km from the city, to the south. The commune is divided into four ''circoscrizioni''. These are:
Under the Köppen Climate Classification Modena is usually classified as having a Humid Subtropical Climate (Cfa). It experiences hot, humid summers with little rainfall and cold, damp winters. HISTORY Ancient times The territory around Modena (Roman ''Mutina'', Etruscan ''Muoina'') was inhabited by the Villanovan s in the Iron Age , and later by Ligurian tribes, Etruscans , and the Gaulish Boii (the settlement itself being Etruscan). Although the exact date of its foundation is unknown, it is known that it was already in existence in the 3rd Century BC , for in 218 BC , during Hannibal 's invasion of Italy, the Boii revolted and laid siege to the city. Livy described it as a fortified citadel where Roman magistrates took shelter. The outcome of the siege is not known, but the city was most likely abandoned after Hannibal's arrival. Mutina was refounded as a Roman colony in 183 BC , to be used as a military base by Marcus Aemilius Lepidus , causing the Ligurians to sack it in 177 BC. Nonetheless, it was rebuilt, and quickly became the most important centre in Cisalpine Gaul , both because of its strategic importance and because it was on an important crossroads between Via Aemilia and the road going to Verona . In the (a populist leader, not to be confused with his son, Caesar's most well known assassin). The city eventually surrendered out of hunger, and Brutus fled, only to be slain in Regium Lepidi . In the following civil war after Caesar's assassination the city was besieged once again, this time by Mark Antony , in 44 BC , and defended by Decimus Junius Brutus . Octavian relieved the city with the help of the Senate. Cicero defined it ''Mutina splendidissima'' ("most beautiful Mutina") in his Philippics ( 44 BC ). Until the 3rd Century AD it kept its position as the most important city in the newly formed Aemilia , but the fall of the Empire brought Mutina down with it, as it was used as a military base both against the barbarians and in the civil wars. It is said that Mutina was never sacked by Attila, for a dense fog hid it (a miracle said to be provided by Saint Geminianus , bishop and patron of Modena), but it was eventually buried by a great flood in the 7th Century and abandoned. Middle Ages Its exiles founded a new city a few miles to the northwest, still represented by the village of Cittanova (literally "new city"). About the end of the 9th Century , Modena was restored and refortified by its bishop, Ludovicus . Later the city was part of the possessions of the Countess Matilda Of Tuscany , becoming a free Commune starting from the 12th Century . In the wars between Emperor Frederick II and Pope Gregory IX Modena sided with the emperor. The Este family were identified as lords of Modena from 1288 ( Obizzo D'Este ). After the death of Obizzo's successor ( Azzo VIII , in 1308 ) the commune reasserted itself, but by 1336 the Este family was permanently in power. Under Borso D'Este Modena was made a duchy. Modern age Enlarged and fortified by Ercole II, it was made the primary ducal residence when Ferrara , the main Este seat, fell to the Pope in 1598 . Francesco I d'Este ( 1629 - 1658 ) built the citadel and began the palace, which was largely embellished by Francesco II. In the 18th Century , Rinaldo D'Este was twice driven from his city by French invasions, and Francesco III built many of Modena's public buildings, but the Este pictures were sold and many of them wound up in Dresden. Ercole III died in exile at Treviso, having refused Napoleonic offers of compensation when Modena was made part of the Napoleonic Cispadane Republic . His only daughter, Maria Beatrice d'Este, married Ferdinand of Austria, son of Maria Theresa , and in 1814 their eldest son, Francesco IV , received back the estates of the Este. Quickly, in 1816 , he dismantled the fortifications that might well have been used against him and began Modena's years under Austrian rule, reactionary and despotic, using the Austrian army to put down a rebellion in 1830 . His equally reactionary son, Francesco V , was temporarily expelled from Modena in the European Revolution Of 1848 , but was restored by Austrian troops. Ten years later, on August 20 , 1859 , the representatives of Modena declared their territory part of the Kingdom Of Italy , a decision that was confirmed by the plebiscite of 1860. MAIN SIGHTS The Cathedral and the Ghirlandina The s express the articulation into nave and wide aisles in bold and clear masses. Modena's Duomo inspired campaigns of cathedral and abbey building in emulation through the valley of the Po . The Gothic Campanile (1224-1319) is called '' Torre Della Ghirlandina '' from the bronze garland surrounding the weathercock. Ducal Palace The Ducal Palace, begun by Francesco I D'Este in 1634 , and finished by Francis V , was the seat of the Este court from the 17-19th century. The palace occupies the site of the former Este Castle, once located in the periphery of the city. Although generally credited to Bartolomeo Avanzini , it has been suggested that advice and guidance in the design process had been sought from the contemporary luminaries, Cortona , Bernini , and Borromini . The Palace currently houses the Accademia Militare Di Modena , the Military Museum and a precious Library. The Palace has a Baroque façade from which the Honour Court, where the military ceremonies are held, and the Honour Staircase can be accessed. The Central Hall has a frescoed ceiling with the 17th century ''Incoronation of Bradamante'' by Marco Antonio Franceschini . The ''Salottino d'Oro'' ("Golden Hall"), covered with gilted removable panels, was used by Duke Francis III as his main cabinet of work. Communal Palace Facing the Piazza Grande (part of UNESCO World Heritage), the Communal Palace was made up in the 17th-18th centuries of the several pre-existing edifices built starting from 1046 as communal offices. It is currently the Town Hall of Modena. It is characterized by a Watchtower (''Torre dell'Orologio'', late 15th century), once paired by another tower (''Torre Civica'') demolished after an earthquake in and later moved over the portico. Museum Palace The Palace Museum, on the St. Augustine square, is an example of civil architecture from the Este, built as the Poors' Hostel together with the nearby Hospital in the late 18th century. Today it houses the main museums of Modena:
Other churches
CULTURE Teatro Comunale Modena : ''See Teatro Comunale Modena , Modena's opera house which dates from 1841, for full article'' SPORT Modena has a strong sport tradition, linked mainly to Motor Racing (as the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari and the headquarters of Ferrari ), Volleyball and Football . Ferrari is not the only Sports Car company to hold their headquarters in Modena. Within this small town or nearby lie the headquarters and manufacturing plants of Ferrari , Bugatti , De Tomaso , Lamborghini and Pagani . The city's football club, Modena F.C. , plays in Serie B , the Italian second division. Volleyball plays an important role in Modena's sport history, with Panini Modena club having won 11 National championships, 4 Champion's League seasons and a handful of other trophies. TWINNINGS SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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