In 1995 the historical Center of Ferrara has been inserted
from the Unesco in the list of the world-heritage patrimony of the Humanity as mirabile
example of city planned in the Rinascimento that conservs its intact historical center.
Ferrara, which grew up around a ford
over the River Po, became an intellectual and artistic centre that attracted the greatest
minds of the Italian Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries. Here, Piero della
Francesca, Jacopo Bellini and Andrea Mantegna decorated the palaces of the House of Este.
The humanist concept of the 'ideal city' came to life here in the neighbourhoods built
from 1492 onwards by Biagio Rossetti according to the new principles of perspective. The
completion of this project marked the birth of modern town planning and influenced its
subsequent development.
Castello
Estense, Castello di San Michele, Ferrara. In 1385, a dangerous revolt, convinced Niccolò
II of Este of the necessity to erect a fort for the security of him and his family: was so
started to build the Castle of Saint Michele. To that period are the ditch, the
bridges, the towers. A covered passage, still existing today, joined the military building
to the Palazzo Ducale (now Palazzo Municipale). Then the castle was used as the residence
of the court and was enriched by the roof-terraces over the towers, by the marble
balconies, the courtyard and from the magnificent apartments.
Ancient units of measure.
Castello Estense,
particular of the ditch, Ferrara.
Palazzo Ducale, now the
Municipal Palace, Ferrara. Its construction was started in 1245, it was used as residence
of the Estensi until 16th century.
Facade of the Ferrara's
cathedral, dedicated to San Giorgio, Ferrara.
The
Cathedral, dedicated to San Giorgio, was starting to build in the 12th. century, it
have the signs of all the historical ages crossed from the city. The huge facade, a
particular structure of three cuspids, was begun in a Romanesque style in the inferior
part. The superior part, of some later decades, is in gothic style and introduces a
magnificent carved Universal Judgment from anonyme, over the "loggia". On the
square Trento e Trieste is the imposing bell tower in white and rose marble, work
(unfinished) attributed to Leon Battista Alberti.
Palazzo dei Diamanti, Ferrara. This
palace, build by the architect Biagio Rossetti was the palace of Sigismondo d'Este,
brother of the duca.
