Overview
A jewel of castle architecture and art
Looking for the best way to see Ferrara from above? Then we highly recommend planning a visit to Este Castle, which stands tall over the city centre. Built in 1385, the manor house is the great icon of Ferrara, with its four towers surrounded by a moat, red terracotta bricks, elegant white balustrades, prisons and rooms used for court games.
You can walk into the castle by crossing the moat filled with water. On weekends and holidays, you can admire the building from an unusual perspective: on board a small boat that will take you on a 15-minute tour of the moat.
Then, you can go up the Lion’s Tower, the oldest of the fortress’s four towers. After climbing 120 steps, you will be treated to a unique vantage point that offers spectacular aerial views of the entire city centre and local territory.
The inner courtyard features an eight-arched loggia on one side and a garden that blooms with the overwhelming perfume of orange blossoms in spring. The rooms provide a multifunctional space where ceremonies, dinners and conferences can be held. With the exception of the prisons, the facility is accessible to people with disabilities and reduced mobility.
Be sure not to miss the Castle Museum, designed by Gae Aulenti, to learn more about the fortress and the city’s history. The bookshop offers a range of fascinating books, as well as souvenirs and gifts. The library is located at the beginning of the museum route but is also open to everyone, with a separate entrance with access from the castle courtyard.
