In Renaissance times some of the greatest masters of Italian art who were in service with the House of Este realised in Ferrara several architectural structures and monuments of great value.
The splendour acquired by the city during the Renaissance is expressed in the streets, on the buildings' facades and through numerous works of art: it is a scenario of extreme beauty, inserted by UNESCO in the list of the World Heritage sites.
The imposing Cathedral stands out against the rich artistic heritage of the city centre, with the Gothic bell tower and the richly decorated interior.
The symbol of the ancient opulence of the House of Este is the imposing Castle Estense, which dominates the urban landscape with its towers, the crenellated walls and the deep moats.
There are several other precious pieces of architecture: the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), The Schifanoia Palace and the magnificent Palazzo dei Diamanti, just to mention the best known ones.
But the most fascinating aspect of Ferrara is captured along the streets that lead to churches, gardens, squares and palaces.
It is by walking that visitors can truly capture the essence of the city in memory of the great characters who have inhabited it: from Leon Battista Alberti to Titian, from Piero della Francesca up to the legendary Lucrezia Borgia.