Guided tour to Modena Ducal Palace

Built starting in 1634 to a design by Roman architect Bartolomeo Avanzini, the Palace housed the Estense Court for more than two centuries until the last Duke Francis V of Austria-Este (1859).

The palace now houses the prestigious Military Academy of Modena.

What you can expect from this experience:

• You will participate in a guided tour of about an hour inside the Ducal Palace of Modena visiting both the museum rooms of the Military Academy and the rooms of the State Apartment where you can admire the magnificent Hall of Honor recently reopened
• You will learn about the history of the Este family and their duchy of which Modena became the capital in 1598

The tour itinerary includes:

• The Courtyard of Honor, the Parlatory, the Staircase of Honor, the Loggia, the Museum Room of the Military Academy (the private Apartment of the Dukes), the State Apartment (the Apartment of Representation), the Staircase of the Unified Circle, the Courtyard Academy of Turin.
• Military Academy Museum Hall: the Gallery of Remembrance (the Royal Trabants Room), the Hall of Academies (the Noble Guards Room), the Hall of Commanders (the Private Hearing Room), the Hall of Distinguished Students (the Coffee Room), the Hall of Courses (the Golden Room), the Temple of Glory (the Oval Hall of Columns).
• State Apartment: the Bronze Gallery, the Colleoni Room, the String Room, the Hall of Honor, the Green Room, the Throne Room, the Golden Parlor (from the outside only), the Red Room, and the Bath Room (Duchess's Bath).

The tour does not include: the Hall of Arms, the Great War Room (trench), the Air Knights Room, the String Gallery, and the Hall of Uniforms.

Visiting Modes

The Ducal Palace of Modena is home to the Military Academy, so it is a place subject to special visiting conditions.
Visits take place on Saturdays and Sundays, with reservations required while spaces last.
The visit lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes from the time of meeting at the tourist office. The visit inside the Ducal Palace lasts about 1 hour.
Upon entering the Ducal Palace, you will be asked to show ID.

Tours are in Italian, but upon special request and with the requisite minimum number of participants, tours in English can be arranged.