We are hoping to take a train from our base in Bologna to Modena for lunch, and are considering going on to Parma and Reggio Emilia. As I understand from Cameron's blog, there aren't really any "sights" to see in Modena---but that it's a lovely little town to lose yourself in. Is the same true of Parma and Reggio Emilia, too? Any "must-see" sights in these two towns? TIA (Thanks In Advance)
Posted by
New York, NY
1585 posts
Hi TIA,
Here is a descriptive link on what to see and where to eat in Reggio Emilia.
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1524 posts
Modena's cathedral is delightful inside and out, and be sure to visit its museum, too. The sculptures of mermaids and other fanciful creatures are a riot.
Posted by
Vignola, Modena, Italy
533 posts
As I understand from Cameron's blog, there aren't really any "sights" to see in Modena
Who's Cameron? An influencer? :-D OMG!
Modena is UNESCO World Heritage for Romanesque architecture (Cathedral and main square)
Modena is UNESCO Cultural Heritage for Visual Arts (are performed often photos and artistic exposition, on top of cultural Festivals)
In Modena there is one of the 15 First Level museums of Italy (Gallerie Estensi)
In Modena there are two Ferrai museums and Maserati factory that can be visited (not far there is Lamborghini and Pagani too, for car lovers).
In Modena there is the Luciano Pavarotti House museum.
In Modena can be visited food producers (Modena's ham , Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese...) being in the center of a Region with the highest number (in Europe) of protected Traditional Foods. Casually there is even the best restaurant of the World, talking only of food.
On top of it there are several churches of different periods, roman ruins (but not so many), the Duke palace (Italian Army Military Academy) and other interesting things (theaters, museums....).
Of course a similar list can be done even for Parma.
For Cameron's fans better go to Cinque Terre, where there is much more to be visited! LOL
Posted by
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
344 posts
Ricky's right - not just speaking from hometown pride. We spent a full day in downtown Modena with the museums, the cathedral and lunch. A portion of our group didn't want to do the museums, so they filled that time with balsamic tasting. I'd happily go back to see things we missed.
Parma has more than a full day of sights just in downtown. We found the tour of the opera house really fantastic. That's another place I must return to finish seeing everything.
Posted by
99 posts
I’d skip Reggio Emilia and I’ve been there twice. Modena has sights to see as has been mentioned along with Parma. I usually take people to Modena and Parma but skip Reggio Emilia.
Posted by
San Francisco, CA (USA)
553 posts
Parma seemed slightly more interesting than Modena but, really it's just picking nits, they're both solid...let's be honest, everyone there is for the food. ;-)
Reggio Emilia, its an all-purpose working town in the valley that sits in the shadow of its neighbors.
If you're interested in 'seeing' things in the E-R valley, spend some time in Ravenna, that place has history. Ferrara is another location that has really interesting sites to visit.