This is by Vincenzo Scamozzi (1552-1616) and was built between 1558 and 1590. This is one of the first theatres to be built in stone- and be covered; so nothing gets spoilt! Inside it is decorated with frescoes from the School of Veronese and has a colonnaded box crowned by statues of gods.

Once pelota was played in the courtyards of this austere palace built under the orders of the Farnese between 1583 and 1622. Today it contains two museums, the archaeological museum and the national Gallery, the Palatine library and the Farnese theatre.

The gallery opens with a bust of Francesco I of Este, a masterpiece by Bernini. It has paintings from the 15C Modena school which was much influenced by the Ferrarese school represented here by Cosmè Tura. Venetian and Bologna masters linked to the "Incamminati" (the Caracci, Guido Reni, Guercino) complete this considerable collection of paintings... also not to be missed are the terracotta figures, by the Modena sculptors of the 15C-16C.

Built from 1099, this cathedral is one of the masterpieces of Romanesque art in Italy. It is by the Lombard architect Lanfranco, the Maestri campionesi and the sculptor Wiligelmo. As well as remarkable external sculpted decoration and an attractive campanile nicknamed the "Ghirlandina", the cathedral has a brick interior bringing together a Gothic ,lan and serene Romanesque luminosity. There you will see an extraordinary Romanesque rood screen by the campionesi masters.