"Ferrara: A Town of Art, Beauty and the Palio" Ferrara by von.otter

Ferrara Travel Guide: 322 reviews and 828 photos

“My first impressions of Ferrara were all I could have desired — free from prosaic sights and the ordinary bustle of travel. From across the mountains in the night, past Bologna, and driving rapidly over the flat country, which stretches between the Apennines and the Eugannean hills, I approached Ferrara just before dawn.”
— from “Art and Nature in Italy” 1882 by Eugene Benson (American Artist, 1839-1908)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS For our second day trip from Bologna, we went to Ferrara to attend its annual Palio di San Giorgio. This was the main attraction for the day, not only for us but for the town’s folks as well. This palio, Italy’s oldest, though not its most celebrated, horse race, was the reason we visited; we arranged our trip’s schedule to be in Ferrara on the last Sunday of May, the traditional date of the modern running of the races.

One thousand participates dress in Renaissance costume. It was thrilling to witness. The photo above shows members of the contrada (neighborhood) of San Paolo assembled outside the main entrance to Ferrara’s duomo.

Our lasting impressions of this charming town are as favorable as Mr. Benson’s in his quote above. During the 30-minute train ride from Bologna to Ferrara we chatted with the young Spaniard across from us; he lives in Ferrara, where he teaches Spanish. It was a grand cultural mix: Americans speaking English with a native Spaniard who teaches Italians to speak Spanish all on our way to Ferrara, Italy!

Ferrara: Bicycles outside il duomo

Although we walked throughout Ferrara, its reputation as the bicycling capital of Italy, with the second-largest ratio of bicycles to people in Europe after Copenhagen, is well deserved. Young, old, families and singles, all were biking. These bikes were at rest outside the town’s duomo guarded by an eagle.

Ferrara: Its Coat-of-Arms

A shield split into black and white topped by a ducal crown is the coat of arms adopted by the city from the Este family, former dukes of Ferrara. These velvet banners sporting the town’s coat-of-arms were hung outside the town hall on the day of il palio.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A first-class town filled art and culture.

Last visit to Ferrara: May 2010
Intro Updated Mar 1, 2011
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Reviews (41)

Coat-of-Arms, Comune di Ferrara, May 2010 - Ferrara

The Coat-of-Arms of Ferrara Off The Beaten Path (1)

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Palio di San Giorgio, Victors, Ferrara, May 2010 - Ferrara

Il Palio di San Giorgio: the Victors Local Customs (11)

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Palio di San Giorgio, Horse Doc, Ferrara, 05/2010 - Ferrara

Il Palio di San Giorgio: Safty First Local Customs (11)

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Palio di San Giorgio, Horse Race, Ferrara, 05/2010 - Ferrara

Il Palio di San Giorgio: Horse Race Local Customs (11)

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picek Dec 20, 2012 at 2:03 AM

It was a great read here, both from the quotes and your own writing... we stayed in Ferrara this year and had spent some wonderful moments in this city. You've captured the spirit of a festival very well!
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Beausoleil Feb 15, 2012 at 4:04 PM

Your photos of Ferrara are a joy. Thank you for telling me about them. You're right; the children are truly delightful. I was particularly happy to see girls and young women playing herald trumpets. We may be entering the 21st century! Thanks for sharing.
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Mikebond Jan 29, 2011 at 9:02 AM

The costumes of the Palio are wonderful, but I have never attended the race itself. Great photos!
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alza Dec 5, 2010 at 7:14 PM

I love their costumes for the Palio! And glad you got good luck from your visit. :)