North of Modena

<< Emilia-Romagna

The plain north of Modena is mostly rural and dotted with small agricultural centers. The largest town here is Carpi, which offers various historic attractions. A few interesting landmarks are also located in other towns in the area.

Carpi

Carpi is the second largest city in the Province of Modena, located north of the capital. The town emerged in the Late Middle Ages as the seat of a small signoria ruled by the Pio family. Carpi later became a possession of the Este family and followed the history of the rest of the province until today. Now it is an industrial center which also features various historic attractions.

✪ Castello dei Pio

Castello dei Pio is a historic fortress in the center of Carpi, facing Piazza dei Martiri, one of the largest squares in Italy. The complex is composed by a series of buildings erected between the Late Middle Ages and the 17th century. The castle was once the residence of the local lords, but now it serves mostly as a museum. Among the several decorated halls inside the fortress, some areas host a museum focused on the history of Carpi, while others house the Museo Monumento al Deportato. This museum hosts an exhibition dedicated to the people who were deported to Nazi concentration camps during World War II.

Carpi Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta)

The Carpi Cathedral (Duomo di Carpi) is the main religious site in the city, located at the northern end of Piazza dei Martiri. It was erected starting in the 16th century to replace a previous medieval church, and it is adorned with Baroque decorations. The interior hosts a few interesting artworks.

Church of Santa Maria in Castello

The Church of Santa Maria in Castello is the oldest religious site in Carpi, facing Piazzale Re Astolfo, behind Castello dei Pio and adjacent to the 14th-century palace known as Castelvecchio. The building can trace its origins to the 8th or 9th century, but it gained its current appearance in the Late Middle Ages. The facade of the church features Romanesque decorations, while the interior is adorned with various artworks, including some medieval frescoes. The church is flanked by a tall bell tower.

Fossoli Camp

The Fossoli Camp (Campo di Fossoli) is a former concentration camp located in Fossoli, just north of Carpi. It was established in 1942 by the Italian Army as a prisoner of war camp, but it was later turned into a transit camp mostly for Jewish people who would be then deported to Nazi extermination camps. It was closed in 1944 and after the war it became a refugee camp and an orphanage. Now it serves as a museum and memorial.

Nonantola

Nonantola is a town located northeast of Modena, which emerged in the Middle Ages as a major religious center thanks to an important monastery. The town later suffered a decline, but it is still known today for its historical relevance.

✪ Nonantola Abbey

The Benedictine Abbey of Nonantola (Abbazia di Nonantola) was founded in 752 under the rule of the Lombards. It was for centuries one of the most influential and powerful monasteries in Europe, ruling over several territories in Italy. Because of this, the abbey was contested between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope during the Investiture Controversy. Initially, the monastery sided with the Emperor, but it was forced to submit to the Pope in 1083. Its importance declined since the 15th century and it was even suppressed in 1768, before being restored in 1821. The abbey now includes a Romanesque church housing several relics, and it also hosts the Benedictine and Diocesan Museum (Museo Benedettino e Diocesano) and a historic library.

Torre dei Bolognesi

The Torre dei Bolognesi is a 14th-century tower located near the Nonantola Abbey. It was erected when Bologna ruled over the town, and it was one of the most important defensive positions in the area. Now it hosts a museum focused on the history of the city. Another medieval tower, the 13th-century Torre dei Modenesi, is located on the other side of the town, but it can only be seen from the outside as it was damaged during an earthquake in 2012.

San Felice sul Panaro

San Felice sul Panaro is an agricultural center in the northern part of the Province of Modena. It emerged in the Late Middle Ages as a fortified position, growing around a castle. The town has some interesting historic buildings, but it was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 2012.

Rocca Estense

The Rocca Estense is a 14th-century castle built over some previous fortifications in San Felice sul Panaro. Originally one of the most important fortresses in the area, it was later turned into a residence and then a prison. The Rocca hosted as archaeological museum and a cultural center, but it has been closed since 2012, when it was damaged by an earthquake. The restoration works are still in progress. An elaborate War Memorial (Monumento ai Caduti) built in the 1920s is located just in front of the castle.

Mirandola

Mirandola is a town in the northern part of the Province of Modena. Between 1310 and 1711, it was the capital of an independent duchy ruled by the Pico family, before becoming part of the Duchy of Modena and Reggio. Mirandola still has many attractions dating back to its golden age during the Renaissance, but the town suffered heavy damage when it was hit by an earthquake in 2012.

Castello dei Pico

Castello dei Pico is a fortress built in the Late Middle Ages in Mirandola, and it was for centuries the residence of the local lords. During the Renaissance it survived various sieges and became known as an unconquerable fortress. At that time, it also hosted several artworks, but under the rule of the Este the castle was abandoned. It was restored and turned into a museum in the 2000s, but the 2012 earthquake heavily damaged the structure. Now it can only be seen from the outside, while more restoration works are under way.