Piazza del Municipio

Piazza del Municipio is one of the main squares of Ferrara, delimited by the wings of the Municipal Palace (Palazzo Municipale), located in the historical center of the city.

SHORT HISTORY

The current square housed once the Ducal Courtyard of the Municipal Palace, which was the first residence of the Este family. Subsequently, after the ducal family moved to the Este Castle, the palace was remodeled several times, until its current form.

The square is famous for the imposing white marble staircase, built in 1481 to a design by Pietro Benvenuto degli Ordini, characterized by a vaulted roof with a central dome and arches in Renaissance style, with a marble balustrade decorated by medieval Gothic elements.

Piazza del Municipio is often chosen as the venue for events such as the flag-wavers’ trials during the days preceding the Palio of Ferrara, and the farmer’s market with typical fresh products from the province of Ferrara.

ARCHITECTURE

Piazza del Municipio can be accessed from Piazza Trento e Trieste through the main entrance of the Municipal Palace, called Volto del Cavallo (Vault of the Horse), consisting of a portico adorned on one side by the bronze statue of Borso d’Este, and on the other side by an elegant arch on columns with the statue of Niccolò III d’Este on horseback.

The other entrance, called Volto della Colombina (Vault of the Dove), is located on the opposite side of the square, where Via Giuseppe Garibaldi begins. The third entrance is located on the oldest side of the building, which overlooks Via Cortevecchia, called Volto del Cavalletto (Vault of the Easel).

The facade of Sala Estense, once the Chapel of Santa Maria di Corte, also overlooks the square.

HOW TO GET THERE

Piazza del Municipio is located about 1.4 kilometers away from the Ferrara railway station. The closest bus stop is in Corso Porta Reno, in the northwestern corner of Piazza Trento e Trieste, on the bus Lines 4 and 11.