Discover Ferrara, City of the Renaissance

Ferrara, IT
100% of travellers recommend this
Excellent (9 reviews)

Included

  • inclusion
    Private tour
  • inclusion
    Professional guide

Excluded

  • exclusion
    Transportation to/from attractions

Meeting Point

Tour departs from Largo Castello. The guide will wait for you outside the castle, close to the side entrance over the moat.

Meeting point

44121 Ferrara, Province of Ferrara , Italy

End point

End Point

Tour ends in front of the Cathedral of Ferrara at Piazza della Cattedrale

Meeting point

Piazza della Cattedrale, 44121 Ferrara FE , Italy

End point

What to expect

1

Castello Estense

Complete with moat Ferrara's towering castle was commissioned by the Este family in 1385. Initially it was intended to protect the Este family from the town's irate citizenry, who were up in arms over tax increases, but in the late 15th century it became the family's permanent residence. Linked to the castle by an elevated passageway, the 13th-century Palazzo Municipale was the Este family home until they moved next door to the castle.The visit of the castle interior is not included in this tour

Duration 20 minutes
2

Corso della Giovecca

Throughout the Middle Ages and almost to the end of the 15th Century, the northern boundary of the city ran along the current road System of Viale Cavour-Corso Giovecca. In 1492 Ercole I commissioned to include this vast area in the centre (thus doubling the surface area of the city) and the great architect and town-planner, Biagio Rossetti, designed a plan which, due to its original and rational nature, made Ferrara the first modern city in Europe. In honour of the Duke who ordered the new town planning this great district is known as Addizione Erculea.

Duration 10 minutes
3

Statua di Girolamo Savonarola

Between the castle and the town hall is Piazza Savonarola, dominated by the monument to Girolamo Savonarola, the famous reformer born in Ferrara in 1452 at the origin of the theocratic dictatorship of Florence (1494-1498). It was also he who had the idea of the pyre of vanities in which books and important works of art disappeared. He is represented here with his arms raised in the midst of preaching. The square is bordered to the west by Via Coperta, a five-arch building that connected the two Este family residences (the castle and the town hall)

Duration 10 minutes
4

Piazza Cattedrale

The Piazza Cattedrale lies between today's town hall, former Este's residence, and the St. George cathedral. From the square you can have a beautiful view of the cathedral facade and its reliefs, a sort of poor man's bible

Duration 20 minutes
5

Ferrara Cathedral

This Cathedral in the Romanesque-Gothic Lombard style has a beautiful tripartite façade endowed with a magnificent canopy (over the door), decorated with a depiction of the Last judgement.

Duration 10 minutes
6

Piazza del Municipio

Piazza del Municipio can be accessed directly from the cathedral square, passing through an imposing arch. The wide square, one of the former inner courtyards of the Este's ducal palace, is characterized by a staircase completely covered with white marble, finished in 1481.

Duration 10 minutes
7

Piazza Trento e Trieste

The piazza Trento Trieste is the beating heart of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and the building of the new cathedral around which the seats of religious, civil and lordly power, in the shape of the family who in fact ruled Ferrara, were concentrated. Indeed, all the city's seats of power were sited in the piazza: as well as the cathedral, there was the bishops' house where the present Bishops Palace stands; the Palazzo della Ragione, the Notary's Lodge, the first nucleus of the Palazzo Ducale, today's Palazzo Municipale. Along the south side of the Cathedral runs the loggia dei Merciai. Also looking on to the piazza is the ex-church of San Romano, now home to a museum.

Duration 10 minutes
8

Via San Romano

This commercial thoroughfare, the medieval town's main street, which once connected the market square (piazza Trento e Trieste) with the port of Ferrara (now replaced by the Via Ripagrande) is bordered by porched medieval houses.

Duration 10 minutes
9

Via delle Volte

This charming medieval street marks the axis along which the so-called linear Ferrara developed between the 7th and 9th centuries A.D. and which greatly influenced the further development of the entire city. In Via delle Volte the architectural solution to development in a third dimension was to create overhead passageways: the vaults dotted along the street, to connect the warehouses on the banks of the river to the workshops-houses towards the centre. Here you can enjoy the atmosphere of its 14th and 15th-century buildings and the alleys that lead off it

Duration 10 minutes
10

Ghetto Ebraico

There is hidden soul to Ferrara, its Jewish one, an important part of the city's community. Through the streets of the Ghetto. The area involved in the former Ghetto, institued in the17th Century, is constituted by today's Via Mazzini, Via Vittoria and Via Vignatagliata and Piazzetta Lampronti where, in the courtyards, the secret passageways, and on the evocative balconies, you can breathe in the intense life of the Ghetto

Duration 10 minutes

The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.

Additional Information

  • Additional information
    Wheelchair accessible
  • Additional information
    Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Additional information
    Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Additional information
    All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Additional information
    Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Additional information
    A dress code is required to enter places of worship. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
  • Additional information
    May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
  • Additional information
    Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Provided by Alliet’ARTI Tours - Manuela Roversi

What our experts say

  • icon
    Visit nearby Gelateria Dersut for gelato.
  • icon
    Check out the local market at Piazza Trento e Trieste.
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    Explore the boutiques on Via San Romano.
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    Bring comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones.
  • icon
    Don't miss the sunset views from Castello Estense.

More About this Experience

Introduction

Experience the charm and beauty of Ferrara, the city of the Renaissance, on this private walking tour. Led by a licensed private tour guide, you will uncover the secrets and stories of this hidden Italian gem. Discover why Ferrara is known as the first modern city in Europe as you explore its well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture. Customize your tour to suit your interests and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of this enchanting city.

What to expect?

During this 2-hour walking tour, you can expect to visit the top attractions of Ferrara. Begin your journey at the imposing Castello Estense, complete with a moat, and learn about its historical significance. Walk along the Viale Cavour-Corso Giovecca, where the city's northern boundary once stood, and marvel at the planning genius of Biagio Rossetti, who transformed Ferrara into the first modern European city. Admire the statue of Girolamo Savonarola, a famous reformer born in Ferrara, and explore the Piazza Cattedrale, offering a beautiful view of the cathedral facade.

Who is this for?

This walking tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Renaissance. Whether you are a solo traveler, a couple, or a group of friends or family, this private tour can be tailored to suit your interests and preferences. It is suitable for all ages and physical abilities, as the pace of the tour can be adjusted accordingly.

Why book this?

Explore Ferrara in the company of a knowledgeable private tour guide who will bring the city's history and architecture to life. Experience the charm of Ferrara's hidden treasures, from the majestic Castello Estense to the picturesque streets of Via delle Volte. Gain insights into the planning and construction of the city during the Renaissance and medieval times. With a personalized itinerary, you can focus on the aspects of Ferrara that interest you the most, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience.

Good to know

The tour will begin at Largo Castello, and your guide will be waiting for you outside the castle, near the side entrance over the moat. The tour duration is approximately 2 hours, allowing you to delve into the history and beauty of Ferrara. Please note that the visit to the interior of the Castello Estense is not included in this tour. Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather, as this is a walking tour. Prepare to be captivated by the stories and sights that await you in Ferrara.

Reviews

Travelers who have booked this walking tour of Ferrara have praised the knowledgeable and friendly tour guides who truly enhanced their experience. They appreciated the opportunity to explore the hidden gems and historical sites of the city, gaining a deeper understanding of its significance. Visitors were particularly impressed with the well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture, and the personalized nature of the tour allowed them to focus on their specific interests. Overall, participants expressed their satisfaction with the tour, describing it as informative, engaging, and highly recommended for anyone visiting Ferrara.

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