ITINERARY

Palio di Ferrara | 5 places to visit in the Rione San Paolo

Potrebbe interessarti anche
{$contenuto_correlato}

Palio di Ferrara | 5 places to visit in the Rione San Paolo

Ready to immerse ourselves in a new story, a new performance, a new itinerary, a new homage to the Duke of Ferrara: Sunday 16 April at 11 a.m. it will be the turn of the Rione San Paolo. The black and white contrada tells us about magic in an ancient time, when tarot cards were nothing more than cards, to most, but someone certainly knew how to use them.

It was Eleanor of Aragon who had a particular passion for tarots and the game of triumphs. In Naples, together with her sister Beatrice, the consort of the duke Ercole I d'Este had received a Renaissance education that included playful moments: music, art, rhetoric, but also card playing among the pastimes of the very young duchess. Recalling Eleonora D'Aragona's predilection, the Rione San Paolo will bring the magical cards to life to transport the public on an extraordinary dancing journey.

A dream, however, destined to vanish into an unsolved mystery.

The contrada will conclude its moment in front of the Duke by presenting its team of soldiers, musicians and small and large flag wavers, reminding everyone of how much commitment, how much dedication, how much affection binds the contradaioli.

COntrada Rione San Paolo

Rione San Paolo comprises the south-west part of the medieval quadrant of the city, inside the city walls, between the Estense Castle, viale Cavour, Corso Isonzo and the city dock, bordering San Giacomo on one side and Santa Maria in Vado on the other. In addition to the well-known castle, the district is home to some of the city's most important architecture.

White and black, the contrada is represented by a red wheel with eight spokes on which stands a white eagle with spread wings.

The wheel is a symbol of destiny and mutability, of regeneration, and of good fortune, while the eagle, the Este emblem, refers to the reigning family and the close connection between the fortune of the people of Ferrara and the political wit of the Este family.

.

Ferrara Rione San Paolo Contrada

As usual, we will accompany you on your discovery of the Rione San Paolo, but with a necessary preamble: with these itineraries of ours we would like to help you discover some lesser-known points of interest, which is why you will not find the Castello Estense among the five places of interest identified in the black and white contrada. Needless to say, the Castle is a wonder not to be missed, regardless of the district!

CHURCH OF SAN PAOLO 

Unfortunately still visitable only on a few occasions, the Church of San Paolo is a true work of art; a sort of pantheon that holds the remains of illustrious personalities of Ferrara culture and has withstood earthquakes and wartime destruction without suffering too much. Thanks to its very central location, the church was the parish church of the Este court, guaranteeing the economic possibilities for periodic extensions and embellishments. The first and second cloisters, to the left of the church, are the result of a recent virtuoso restoration. The contrada itself also resides in the complex: its headquarters is in Via Boccaleone 19.

Ferrara Chiesa San Paolo

Ferrara Chiesa San Paolo Dettaglio

MUNICIPAL PALACE and MUNICIPAL SQUARE

Just a few steps from the Castle, Piazza Municipale, enclosed within the walls of the Municipal Palace, is one of the landmarks of the city of Ferrara, furrowed by the splendid grand staircase. You will maybe recognise the glimpse clearly visible in the scene of the chance meeting between Silvano (Kim Rossi Stuart) and Carmen (Inés Sastre) from Michelangelo Antonioni's famous film, Beyond the Clouds. The piazzetta is the perfect place to enjoy a good aperitif, cheered by the warm colour of the palace walls and the terracotta flooring.

Ferrara Piazza Municipale

PIAZZETTA DELLA REPUBBLICA and THE CHURCH OF SAN GIULIANO

A place of the heart for the city of Ferrara, recently redeveloped with great excitement, Piazzetta della Repubblica also invites you to relax in the shade of its large trees. The little square is overlooked by a small church in a concentration of wonder: the Church of San Giuliano. Note the portal decorated with a Gothic spire. Today it is a space to be experienced, at the foot of the majestic Estense Castle.

Ferrara Piazza Repubblica

Ferrara Chiesa San Giuliano

PALAZZO BENTIVOGLIO

An imposing building surprises passers-by in Via Garibaldi, interrupting the flow of simpler architecture. The snow-white Palazzo Bentivoglio, tucked away towards the end of the narrow street that runs away from the centre, is among the city architecture commissioned by Duke Borso d'Este. The palace dates back to 1449, renovated by Marquis Bentivoglio in 1585, who wanted the hand of architect Giovan Battista Aleotti. Aleotti seems to have been inspired by the façade of the so-called Palazzo Spada in Rome, by the infamous architect Francesco Borromini.

Ferrara Palazzo Bentivoglio

THE CITY DARSENA

Another recently redeveloped area, returned to the city in all its splendour. The Darsena di San Paolo is located in a stretch of the Po di Volano that flows through the city. The area forms an ideal habitat for birds and dragonflies and offers wonderful sunsets. From spring to autumn the Darsena hosts interesting events and initiatives, to give you a breath of fresh air even during the hottest months. Discover all the events scheduled in our city here.

Ferrara Darsena Cittadina