Unfortunately, my favourite square in Modena is Piazza XX Settembre located just beside the delicious and lively Albinelli Market. It must have something to do with the buzz around it as there was a market during the day I was visiting. However, it is also a much smaller square and is, therefore, more intimate and cosy. The market and the outdoor café terraces on the sidelines almost kiss each other. That’s intimate I guess =)
Piazza Grande
But the 2nd runner up on my list is Piazza Grande. Previously called ‘Piazza del Duomo’ in the 12th century and later renamed to Piazza Grande in the 2nd half of the 17th century. Obviously, the only rule that stays constant and consistent in this world; change is inevitable. The cathedral and the town hall are both located on Piazza Grande, so everything that is important, or significant in nature, happens here in those days. Power has shifted from religion to state politics. Aren’t we glad that religion is now separate from the state?
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The breakthrough in preserving this place and making it a monument before it becomes a parking lot (which it did in the 60s I have read) was when UNESCO declared it as a world heritage site in 1997, this together with the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), the Modena Cathedral and the Ghirlandina Tower.
Since I am not the expert, I will save you from reading all the details on this blog, please go here instead: Modena UNESCO World Heritage Site
A quick video I made:
Quite lucky that it was lovely weather in the morning here in Modena because later in the afternoon it rained.
Because of its strategic importance, and this was before I discovered the Piazza XX Settember, I decided to have my lunch here in Piazza Grande at Caffeteria La Piazza and treated myself to a local favourite – Tagliatelle al Forno and a Spritz. I was surprised that it was a light meal considering that pasta can be heavy. I guess when you eat authentic Italian food, you just can’t have enough? But what a shame for serving the Spritz in a Havana Club glass.
Picture gallery of Piazza Grande:
Piazza della Torre is beside Piazza Grande (which is a part of).
My view is not bad from the cafe.
Palazzo Comunale | Modena Town Hall
The town hall is a 17th-century building. It didn’t take me long for me to recognise that it is the town hall, well obviously one can see it from the clock tower, but when I was here, I saw a lovely bride step out of her retro VW beetle camper with her dog, and into the arms of her waiting groom, who also has his own dog. They weren’t there to do a wedding photo shoot, which is a very popular thing by the way in Asia (wedding photo shooting in popular places), but they are here, of course, to get married.
The Palazzo Comunale is known for its beautiful rooms and one of these is the Sala dei matrimoni (the Wedding Room), which I didn’t get to see. I did try going up later in the afternoon but all the rooms were locked.
Outside the town hall is a huge piece of ancient stone block that looks like a table. This is called Pietra Ringadora used by statesmen to place cadavers for public identification. On much better days, they use this as a platform to announce important news. Helaas, the medieval period isn’t all rosy with princes, fancy castles, ballroom dresses and funny elves you know.
Modena Duomo | Modena Cathedral
The Modena Cathedral started its construction on 9 June 1099. The building is a showcased of Romanesque art by architect, Lanfranco, together with his sculptor, Wiligelmo. Centuries later the Campionesi Masters succeeded Wiligelmo and created the raised presbytery above a crypt where the patron saint of Modena, Saint Geminianus was entombed. This marble pulpit is perhaps the main attraction inside the cathedral. It is big, unique and special that it really stands out. It is impressive and you cannot ignore it.
The church is open daily and everyone is free to enter, although I think that during mass services, they reserve the church only for those who are really attending, and not visiting.
The Modena Cathedral is worth a visit and it is open daily.
This is the altar of the cathedral. At the back of it, which is a recessed area is a crypt and above it is the raised pulpit in marble.
The upper left photo is the crypt.
The Modena Cathedral on the other side of the piazza on Corso Duomo.
Ghirlandina Civic Tower
Interestingly, the chronological history of the Ghirlandina tower is unknown because records were burned during a fire in the 11th century.
After much huffing and puffing, I was able to reach the top. I have to admit I did quick pauses in between, allowing the more fit people to overtake me because the climb was quite dizzying. The reward at the top, however, was worth all the trouble. My only complaint is the windows. They have fastened wrought iron grills on them, and on top of that, they added a glass window. It felt more like a prison cell than a viewing gallery. Perhaps just a precaution after a bad incident?
Made a short video impression:
The street musician is competing with the bells of the tower.
Travel Period: May 2016
Destination: Modena (Emiglia-Romagna), Italy
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
All pictures were taken by a point and shoot pocket camera or a smartphone.
