Considered the Italian capital of sports car manufacturing, the Province of Modena stretches across Italy’s central north between Lombardy and Tuscany. It encompasses the historic city of Modena, a sprawling plain and a mountainous region that is home to Emilia-Romagna’s highest peak, Monte Cimone.
Things to do in Modena
Whether you’re an auto enthusiast, a history buff or a keen skier, the Province of Modena has something to offer.
Sightsee in Modena. Renowned for its balsamic vinegar, Modena is a historic city on the south side of the Po Valley. Admire the Baroque facade of the 17th-century Ducal Palace and wander through the UNESCO-listed Piazza Grande, which is watched over by the ornate clock tower of the Modena Town Hall and the Romanesque-style Duomo di Modena. Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to the Estense Gallery within the Museum Palace, where paintings by Tintoretto and Correggio are showcased.
Explore the Museo Ferrari. Occupying a former factory building in the town of Maranello is the Museo Ferrari, which houses exhibits dedicated to the Italian motor racing industry. See Enzo Ferrari’s recreated office and get up close to Formula 1 cars from Michael Schumacher’s driving days. Also exhibited are technological innovations that are set to transform the automotive industry.
Ski the slopes of Monte Cimone. In the far south of the Province of Modena is Monte Cimone, which is the highest peak in Italy’s northern Apennines. Rising 2,165 metres in height, it was used as a military site during World War II and the Cold War when access to the mountain was forbidden. Today, Monte Cimone is a popular winter resort, with more than 50 kilometres of ski trails to explore and a well-designed snowboarding park in Passo del Lupo.
Getting around Modena
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is the main aviation gateway to the Province of Modena and has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Trains connect from cities throughout Italy to the Modena railway station and buses travel to towns and villages within the province.