Are you looking to explore the history of Ferrara through the ages? There are a number of historical destinations in Ferrara including the time-honored buildings, monuments, palaces, and parks where you can learn about the glorious past of Ferrara. The presence of these historical sites and museums will take you on a walk through Ferrara ‘s rich history.
If you are willing to have an in-depth historical information about Ferrara, we recommend that you take a wonderful guided tour to cover the major historical attractions. Also, check the opening and closing time for each so that you can organize your time. Make sure that you go through the complete list of historical places in Ferrara for a great trip!
Top Historical Places in Ferrara
Let's witness the history of Ferrara with these top historical places - monuments and landmarks:
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Castello Estence
(466 Votes)
Castello Estense is a charming medieval castle that is located in the heart of the city of Ferrara. Symbolized as the face of the city, the towering Castello Estence was erected upon the orders of Nicolò II d'Este in 1385. The castle has elements of the Renaissance style of architecture and has quite an interesting story behind its construction. The major highlights of the Castello Esten...Read more -
Via Delle Volte
(419 Votes)
The Via delle Volte is a charming cobbled street in Ferrara that dates back to the Middle Ages. Named after the distinctive volte, also known as the arches or covered passages that cover this street, the volte has become a symbol of the historical legacy of Ferrara. The street gives a feeling of walking through the past with its hanging passageways (the air passages) which used to join the ware...Read more -
Monastero Di Sant' Antonio In Polesine
(222 Votes)
The Monastero di Sant'Antonio in Polesine was established in the 13th century and is the first female monastery in Ferrara dedicated to St. Anthony the Great. It was founded by the Blessed Beatrice d'Este and has some beautiful frescoes which showcase the Giotto, Byzantine and Renaissance schools of architecture. The church in the monastery is an example of the Baroque style and comprises of a ...Read more -
The Cimiteri della Certosa in Ferrara is a magnificent Renaissance structure that is located inside the walls of the city presently and is situated within the city limits of the Herculean Addition. The cemetery was initially founded as the Carthusian Order monastery in 1461 by the Duke Borso. However, the suppression of the religious orders by Napoleon led to the closure of the monastery in the...Read more -
Museo Della Cattedrale
(146 Votes)
Enclosed in the former church of San Romano, the Museo della Cattedrale is a part of the Civic Museum of Ancient Arts in Ferrara. It primarily constitutes of works that were exhibited originally in the Ferrara Cathedral. Established in the year 1929, the museum can be accessed through a small yet beautiful square cloister. The major must-see exhibits at the Museo della Cattedrale are: The anci...Read more -
The Addizione Erculea, translated to be the Herculean Effort, was an urban work planning that took place during the Renaissance period in the 15th century. Commissioned upon the orders of Ercole I d’Este in 1492, this project was completed by architect Biagio Rossetti and was named in honor of the Ercole. The work entailed a doubling of the city towards the north and created a new area th...Read more -
The Palazzo di Lodovico Il Moro is also known as the Palazzo Costabili, after Antonio Costabili, an important nobleman in the court of duke Ercole I d'Este. Costabili had commissioned the palace to the famous architect Biagio Rossetti in 1495. Although the palace was not fully built, the architectural brilliance of Rossetti can still be seen in it and it currently houses the National Archaeolog...Read more -
The Cimitero Ebraico di Ferrara or the Jewish Cemetery in Ferrara is situated in the area that belonged to the Jewish community since the 17th century. Formerly known as the ‘Garden of the Jews’, the cemetery was robbed and destroyed by the Inquisition in the 18th century. Many marbles from the tombs were then taken and used to build the column of the statue of Borso d'Este at the T...Read more -
Palazzo Schifanoia
(230 Votes)
The Palazzo Schifanoia is a Renaissance palace that was primarily built as the recreation centre for the Este family, as the name suggests. Built in 1385, the palazzo houses the magnificent collection of the Civic Museum of Ancient Art which includes Greek pottery, manuscripts, ceramics and artefacts of ivories, bronzes and plaques. The major highlights of the Palazzo Schifanoia are as follows:...Read more -
Ferrara Cathedral
(159 Votes)
The Ferrara Cathedral is a beautiful Roman Catholic cathedral that dates back to the 12th century. Steeped in the rich historical legacy of the city, the architectural style of the cathedral is a mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles and is a testament to the bygone centuries. The Ferrara cathedral is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint George and is the seat of the Arch...Read more -
Museo Archeologico Nazionale
(173 Votes)
Housed in the rooms on the main floor of the Palazzo Costabili, the National Archaeological Museum showcases a number of historical relics and artefacts from the excavations of the Etruscan city of Spina. The city was a prime trading centre that had prospered between the 6th and 3rd centuries BC. The must-see exhibits at the museum are: The Hall of the Maps which has beautiful frescoes and dis...Read more -
Casa Romei
(218 Votes)
Casa Romei is an ancient palace situated in the city of Ferrara that has a unique blend of architectural elements from the Medieval and Renaissance ages. The palace was constructed in the 15th century and owned by the famous merchant Giovanni Romei who adorned it on the occasion of his marriage with Polissena d'Este. The major architectural highlights of the Casa Romei are as follows: The gran...Read more