Ducal Palace - Military Academy
The Italian Military Academy has its headquarters at the Ducal Palace, designed by Rome architect Bartolomeo Avanzini and built from 1634 onwards. For more than 200 years, this was the home of the Este Court. You can visit the interior by booking one of the tours organized by the tourist office (ph (+39) 0592032660), which only take place on weekends. Inside, a majestic stairway climbs from the Honour Court to a loggia that gives access to three apartments. After the Princes’ Apartment, the Private Apartment houses the Museum of Military Academy museum, while the State Apartment contains frescoes and portraits of the Este family. The most spectacular rooms are the vast, elegant Hall of Honour and the 18th-century Golden Salon
Roman architect Bartolomeo Avanzini designed the Palazzo Ducale, whose construction began in 1634. The Palazzo housed the Este Court for more than two centuries and is today the headquarters of the Italian Military Academy. The elegant façade has three windows placed side-by-side and crowned by balustrades with statues. The central and lateral parts are raised.
The courtyard of honour with an elegant two-storey arcade is considered a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. From here you access the monumental staircase of honour adorned with Roman statues, which leads to the numerous rooms of the Estense Residence. Special mention should be made of the Sala del Trono, Salottino d'Oro, Salone d'Onore and the Sala dello Stringa.
Today the palace is the headquarters of the Military Academy and can be visited only with a guided tour on Saturdays and Sundays upon reservation.
The guided tour also includes the visit to the Military Academy History Museum where weapons and armatures, memorabilia, relics and military items (flags, uniforms, drums, etc.) are on display.
Opening hours
Guided tours are suspended.
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Tickets and admission
Regular € 10,00
Reduced (up to 12 years old) € 8,00
Free for children up to 5 years old.
To know before you go
Most of the tours are in Italian but upon request, with a minimum number of participants, we can include additional English speaking tours. Feel free to contact the tourist office to check availabilities info@visitmodena.it.
If these hours are not suitable with your needs, you can contact the Tourist information office ph. +39(0)592032660 - info@visitmodena.it, to find out if there are other available tours on the day you are interested in.
