SHORT DESCRIPTION OF MODENA
The city of Modena (inhabitants: 178.874) is the capital of one of the Emilia-Romagna region provinces.
The Modena district is one of the most developed areas in Italy and Europe. With a very low unemployment rate (around 3%), a very high participation in the labour market, both of women and men, and a very high per capita income, Modena is a town with a high standard of living and a developed social welfare system.
The economy of the area is characterised by a strong entrepreneurial propensity (1 company every 10 citizens).
Modena is well known all around the world for some excellencies such as Ferrari, Maserati, food products as balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano.
The quality level of houses, sport facilities and urban green areas is high, the historical, artistic and cultural heritage is well preserved.
The rich network of associations and a tradition of social solidarity contribute to the improvement of all Modenese citizens wellbeing and quality of life.
In the last ten years, Modena became the destination of other Countries relevant migration flows, attracted by the several working opportunities of the area. Non - EU population represents 7,6% of the residents.
Tourists interest towards Modena has considerably grown since its great historic and artistic values have been adequately highlighted and promoted. The medieval Cathedral (masterpiece of Italian Romanesque architecture), the Ghirlandina tower and the central Piazza Grande were included in the world heritage monuments list by UNESCO in 1997.
WHERE IS MODENA?
Modena is located in the Northern Italy in the middle of the Emilia-Romagna region.
Modena enjoys a strategic position as it is located at the intersection of the two most important Italian highways: the Autostrada del Sole, connecting Italy North to South, and the Autostrada del Brennero, connecting Italy with Northern Europe.
A big road infrastructure and rail network connects Modena to the surrounding areas. The international airport of Bologna "Guglielmo Marconi" is less than 40 kilometres away.
HISTORY
Roman colony in 183 b.C. (Cicero defined it as very flourishing), Modena was the theatre of the war between Bruto and Marcantonio (43 b.C.) that marked the ascent of Ottaviano and the birth of the second Triumvirate.
Half-destroyed during the IV century, abandoned in the V and VI centuries because of wars and floods, the city arose again around the bishop's palace. Under the bishop's government (VIII - X centuries), it enjoyed imperial privileges and entered Lords of Canossa’s sphere of influence.
After the construction of the cathedral, started in 1099, and the first signs of a city government that led to the communal Modena, the city was ruled by the Estense family and in 1598 it became capital city and saw the rising of the Ducal Palace (1634).
In 1796 the French troops entered in Modena: the French dominion lasted till 1814. From that year on, the Austro-Este dukes Francesco IV and Francesco V ruled the State till 1859.
Declined the Este government, the city formed part of the Italian Reign.
MAIN MONUMENTS
Modena area has much to offer Italian art lovers in terms of beautiful monuments:
the cathedral, that masterpiece of Romanesque art which UNESCO has declared a world heritage site along with Piazza Grande and the Ghirlandina tower; the 17th - century Ducal Palace in Modena, seat of the Military Academy;
the summer residence of the Estensi in Sassuolo;
the Renaissance-style Piazza Martiri in Carpi;
the medieval abbey in Nonantola, ecc.
CULTURAL LIFE
Modena is the seat of one of Europe's most ancient universities. Students can choose between 7 faculties with 22 degree courses and 15 diploma courses. We have 25 libraries with books for every age and taste. The Delfini library is open for more than 60 hours a week and lends out more than 120,000 books a year. Students and researchers can consult the Estense library with its collection of incunabula and manuscripts. The Poletti library is one of the best equipped in Italy for books on art and architecture. The library of the faculty of Economics has 145,000 items available for consultation.
Along with other cities, Modena founded the Circuit of Art Cities of the Po Valley.
Several theatres and cinemas and the contemporary gallery Galleria Civica make wealthy Modena’s cultural life.
To be mentioned, the masterpieces (including the Bible of Borso d’Este, XV century) housed in the Galleria Estense and the art collections housed in the province's 56 other museums and galleries.
ENTERTAINMENT
Modena is the place of theatre and singing, cinema and good music. In the province there are 65 cinemas and 14 theatres. It is not a coincidence that some top lyric opera performers are from Modena, including Luciano Pavarotti, Mirella Freni and Raina Kabaivanska. During the year, Modena hosts other relevant cultural events and happenings: "Summer Music Village", "Festival of Philosophy", "Este’s summer nights", "Modena Land of Motors", without forgetting gastronomic events like "Balsamica" and "Asso di Gusto".
THE CULTURE OF FOOD
Modena food is world-wide famous: tortellini, balsamic vinegar, Lambrusco wine, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, dressed meat products (zampone, cotechino, ham), cherries from Vignola and many others.
Counting 12.000 firms, the Province of Modena ranks tenth in Italy in terms of agricultural production and exports food products for more than 300 million of euro. The main sector is the meat-processing, which, provides work for 4,500 people in 300 companies, some of which are market leaders on an international scale.
MODENA: THE CITY OF MOTORS
Modena is the "city of motors". It boasts a great tradition in the field of sport and racing cars. Ferrari, the most famous, Maserati, Bugatti, De Tomaso were all born here. And here they developed. A few miles from the centre of the town, Formula One pilots test their cars and it is possible to find other prestigious car makers such as Pagani and Lamborghini.
SHOPPING WAYS
Attractive and welcoming, Modena's city centre is full of many merchants and artisans shops that offer a broad range of quality merchandise. Balsamic vinegar, zampone and cotechino, Modena ham, tortellini, and Lambrusco are the typical products of Modena's traditional cuisine.
A wide range of elegant shops offer you the world-wide famous brands of Italian fashion from the most wellknown fashion designers (Armani, Max Mara, Prada, Gucci, ecc.) to the youngest ones (Guru, Blumarine, ecc).
ARTISTIC HANDICRAFT
In the province of Modena there are more than 300 handicraftsmen. They keep alive the techniques used in the past, using top-quality materials and producing objects of great value and quality, ranging from violins to the vats used for the ageing process of balsamic vinegar. They masterly restore paintings, books, wood, fabrics and marble.
SPORT AND LEISURE ACTIVITY
40% of Modena population practises sport in one form or another. And there are 900 competitive and amateur sport clubs in the province. The local male volleyball team has won the International Championship Cup four times.
In the city of Modena there are about 10 swimming pools, 3 sports stadiums, a football stadium, a baseball stadium, a racecourse, a shooting range and 36 centres with mixed sport facilities. In winter, ski resorts in the Apennines offer more than 100 km of ski slopes served by 27 skilifts.
ENVIRONMENT
Modena loves motor racing but also loves nature, environment and bicycles. It has one of the largest network of cycle tracks in Italy (115 km).
Each inhabitant has 32 square meters of green area. We have magnificent parks in the Apennines (the park of the Alto Apennino Modenese, the Sassi of Roccamalatina and the park of the River Secchia) and the largest plant for the treatment and disposal of toxic industrial waste in Europe.
Our companies were among the first in Italy obtaining the International ISO 14001 certification for environment protection.
