The Renaissance Addition

Throughout the Middle Ages and almost to the end of the 15th Century, the northern boundary of the city ran along the current road System of Viale Cavour-Corso Giovecca.

To the north of this boundary there were a number of buildings, even prestigious ones, some of which were owned by the Duke. In 1492 Ercole I commissioned Biagio Rossetti to include this vast area in the centre (thus doubling the surface area of the city) and the great architect and town-planner designed a plan which, due to its original and rational nature, made Ferrara the first modern city in Europe.

In honour of the Duke who ordered its building this great district is known as Addizione Erculea.

THE ITINERARY IN BRIEF

Estense Castle (starting point), Corso Ercole I d'Este, Palazzo di Giulio d'Este (1), Palazzo dei Diamanti (3), Palazzo Prosperi Sacrati (4), Casa di Ludovico Ariosto (5), Palazzina degli Angeli (6), Porta degli Angeli, the ancien Walls, the Monumental Cemetery e Tempio di San Cristoforo alla Certosa (7), Piazza Ariostea (8), Via delle Vigne, the Jewish cemetery, Palazzo Massari, Massari Park, Piazza Torquato Tasso, Chiesa del Gesù (10), Natural Historical Museum (11), Piazzetta Sant’Anna (12), Corso Giovecca, Palazzo Roverella (13), Chiesa dei Teatini (14), Chiesa di San Carlo (15) e Comunale Theater (16).