Modena facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Modena Mòdna  (Emilian)
Comune
Comune di Modena
Piazza Grande Duomo Palazzo Comunale Ducal Palace Galleria Estense
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Emilia-Romagna
Province	Modena (MO)
Frazioni	Albareto, Baggiovara, Ca' Fusara, Cognento, Cittanova, Collegara, Ganaceto, Lesignana, Marzaglia, Navicello, Portile, San Damaso, San Donnino, Tre Olmi, Villanova
Area
• Total	183.23 km2 (70.75 sq mi)
Elevation	34 m (112 ft)
Population  (31 December 2015)
• Total	184,732
• Density	1,008.197/km2 (2,611.22/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Modenese
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	41121-41126
Dialing code	059
Patron saint	San Geminiano
Saint day	31 January

Modena is a city in northern Italy. It is located in the Emilia-Romagna region, south of the Po Valley. Modena is famous for many things, including its amazing car industry.

Some of the world's most famous sports car makers, like Ferrari, Maserati, and Pagani, have their main offices or factories here. One Ferrari car, the 360 Modena, was even named after the city! Ferrari's main factory and Formula One team, Scuderia Ferrari, are just south of Modena in Maranello.

Modena is also home to the University of Modena, which started way back in 1175. It's one of the oldest universities in Italy! The city is also known for its beautiful Cathedral of Modena, the Torre della Ghirlandina (a tall tower), and Piazza Grande (a big square). These three places together are so special that UNESCO made them a World Heritage Site in 1997.

And if you love food, you might know Modena for its delicious balsamic vinegar. Many famous people come from Modena, too, like the opera singer Luciano Pavarotti and Enzo Ferrari, who started the Ferrari car company.

Geography of Modena

Modena is located in a flat area called the Pianura Padana. Two rivers, the Secchia and Panaro, flow near the city. Both of these rivers eventually join the bigger Po River. You can see a fountain in the city center that represents these two rivers.

The Apennines start about 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Modena. The city is divided into four main areas, like neighborhoods:

• Centro storico (the old historical center)
• Crocetta
• Buon Pastore
• San Faustino

Modena's Climate

Modena has a climate with warm, humid summers and cool winters. It often snows in winter. The city gets about 809 millimeters (31.9 inches) of rain each year.

Modena's Government

Modena has a local government that manages the city. The City Council has 32 members who are elected by the people every five years. The mayor is also elected by the citizens. The City Committee helps the mayor run the city. Since 2019, the mayor of Modena has been Gian Carlo Muzzarelli.

Modena's History

Modena has a very long and interesting history, going back thousands of years.

Ancient Times

Long ago, the area around Modena was home to different ancient tribes. The city, then called Mutina, was already around in the 3rd century BC. In 218 BC, during a war, a tribe called the Boii attacked the city. The Roman leaders hid there because it was a strong fortress.

Later, in 183 BC, the Romans made Mutina a Roman colony. It became a very important city in northern Italy because it was on key trade routes. The famous Roman speaker Cicero even called it Mutina splendidissima, meaning "most beautiful Mutina."

In the 7th century, a big flood covered the city, and it was abandoned for a while. In 2008, archaeologists found old pottery workshops in Modena. These workshops made oil lamps that were used all over the ancient Roman Empire!

Middle Ages

Around the end of the 800s, Modena was rebuilt and made strong again by its bishop. Later, in the 12th century, it became a free city. The Este family became the rulers of Modena in 1288. They stayed in power for a very long time. Under Borso d'Este, Modena became a duchy, which is a territory ruled by a duke.

Renaissance and Modern Era

When the Este family lost their main city, Ferrara, in 1598, Modena became their most important home. Dukes like Francesco I d'Este built grand buildings, including the beautiful Ducal Palace.

In the 18th century, French armies invaded Modena twice. Later, during the time of Napoleon, Modena became part of a new republic. After Napoleon, the Este family got their lands back in 1814.

In 1859, Modena joined the Kingdom of Italy, becoming part of the country we know today.

Main Sights in Modena

Modena has many amazing places to visit, showing its rich history and culture.

Ducal Palace

The Ducal Palace of Modena

The Ducal Palace of Modena was started in 1634. It was the home of the Este dukes from the 1600s to the 1800s. Today, this grand palace is home to the Accademia Militare di Modena, which trains Italian military officers. It also has a Military Museum and a valuable library. The palace has a beautiful Baroque style with a grand entrance and a stunning main hall.

Town Hall

The Palazzo Comunale, Modena's Town Hall

The Town Hall of Modena is located in Piazza Grande. It was built over many years, starting in 1046, by joining several older buildings. It has a tall Clock Tower. Inside, you can see the Sala del Fuoco (Fire Hall) with old paintings.

One interesting item in the Town Hall is the Secchia Rapita, a wooden bucket. It's kept there to remember a victory in a battle against Bologna in 1325. There's also a statue called La Bonissima (The Very Good) in the square, which was put there in 1268.

The Cathedral and the Ghirlandina Tower

The beautiful façade of the Duomo di Modena

View of Piazza Grande with the Ghirlandina tower in the background

The Cathedral of Modena and its bell tower are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Building the Cathedral started in 1099 and was finished in 1184. It's a very important example of Romanesque architecture. The main builder, Lanfranco, and the sculptor, Wiligelmus, were famous in their time. The sculptures on the outside tell stories from the Bible.

The tall, Gothic-style bell tower (built from 1224 to 1319) is called Torre della Ghirlandina. Its name comes from the bronze "garland" at the top.

Other Churches to See

Modena has many other beautiful churches:

• San Vincenzo: Built in the 17th century, it holds the tombs of the Este Dukes.
• Santa Maria della Pomposa: One of the oldest churches, rebuilt in the 1700s.
• Sant'Agostino: A 14th-century church with beautiful decorations and a famous sculpture called Deposition by Antonio Begarelli.
• San Francesco: Started in 1224, this Gothic church also has a famous Deposition of Christ sculpture by Begarelli.
• San Pietro: This Renaissance-style church from 1476 has a 15th-century organ and many terracotta artworks.
• San Giorgio: Known for its image of the Madonna, built in 1647.

Modena Synagogue

The Modena Synagogue

The Synagogue in Modena was built by the Jewish community and opened in 1873. It is located across from the Palazzo Comunale.

Other Interesting Places

• Mercato Albinelli: A historic covered market that opened in 1931.
• Orto Botanico dell'Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia: A lovely botanical garden.
• Home (museum) of Luciano Pavarotti: You can visit the home of the famous opera singer.

Modena's Culture

Modena is a city rich in culture, with many museums and a strong tradition in arts.

Museums in Modena

Museum Palace

The Museum Palace is a large building that houses several important museums:

• Estense Gallery: This art gallery has famous paintings by artists like Tintoretto and Diego Velázquez.
• Estense Library: One of Italy's most important libraries, with many old books and manuscripts.
• Museum of Medieval and Modern Art.
• City Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.

Museums of the Cathedral

These museums show off the art and history of the Cathedral. You can see old sculptures and artifacts found during the Cathedral's restoration.

Museum Enzo Ferrari

Opened in 2012, this museum celebrates the life of Enzo Ferrari, the founder of Ferrari. It includes his birthplace and a modern building designed by architect Jan Kaplický. Inside, you can see pictures, films, and items from Enzo Ferrari's life as a driver and car-maker. The museum also shows the history of motor racing in Modena.

Museum of Collectible Cards

This unique museum, opened in 2006, has a huge collection of collectible cards, like stickers, cigarette cards, and more. It shows how picture cards have changed over time.

Teatro Comunale Modena

The Teatro Comunale Modena is an opera house in Modena. It was renamed "Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti" in honor of the famous opera singer. The theater opened in 1841 and has hosted many opera performances.

Modena's Delicious Food

Modena is famous for its amazing food, especially meats and hams.

• Zampone or cotechino Modena are popular dishes made from pork. They have been made in this area for centuries.
• Tortellini and tortelloni are types of pasta that look like rings and are filled with meat or cheese.
• Torta Barozzi is a black tart, a dessert made with coffee, cocoa, and almond filling.
• Balsamic vinegar of Modena is a very special condiment. It's made from cooked grape must and is used on salads, cheese, strawberries, and many other dishes. It has been made in Modena for a very long time.

Modena is also home to Osteria Francescana, which is one of the best restaurants in the world!

Modena's Economy

Modena and its surrounding area are very wealthy. This is thanks to strong agriculture and many small and medium-sized businesses. Some big companies here include BPER Banca (a bank), Panini Group (a publishing company famous for stickers), and Cremonini Group (a large meat and catering company).

Automotive Industry

Modena is a major center for the automotive industry in Italy. It has a long history of making cars. Famous luxury car brands like Ferrari, Pagani, and Maserati have their main offices or factories in or near Modena. The electric motorcycle company Energica Motor Company is also based here.

Famous People from Modena

Many well-known people come from Modena, including:

• Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988), who founded the Ferrari car company.
• Mirella Freni (1935–2020), a famous opera singer.
• Luciano Pavarotti (1935–2007), a world-famous opera tenor.

Transportation in Modena

Rail Travel

Modena railway station opened in 1859. It is on the main railway line between Milan and Bologna. It also connects Modena to Verona and Sassuolo.

City Transport

Modena's public transport system is run by SETA. This includes a system of trolleybuses that run on electricity.

Modena's Population

In 2011, about 179,149 people lived in Modena. The city has a good mix of young people and older residents. Most of the people living in Modena are Italian. There are also many people from other parts of Europe, like Romania and Albania.

Sports in Modena

Modena has a strong love for sports, especially motor racing. This is because Enzo Ferrari, the founder of Ferrari, was born here. The city is sometimes called the "Supercar Capital" because so many luxury car makers are nearby.

Modena has a football (soccer) team called Modena F.C. 2018, which plays at the Stadio Alberto Braglia. This stadium can hold over 21,000 fans.

Volleyball is also very popular in Modena. The Modena Volley team has won many national championships and European trophies. There is also a baseball club, the Modena Baseball Club, which has been around for 50 years.

International Connections

Modena is connected to other cities around the world through "twin town" or "sister city" partnerships. These connections help promote cultural exchange and friendship.

Modena is twinned with:

• Almaty, Kazakhstan
• Benxi, China
• Highland Park, Illinois, United States
• Linz, Austria
• Londrina, Brazil
• Novi Sad, Serbia
• Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States

See also

In Spanish: Módena para niños