The city of Ferrara has several museums: the National Archeological Museum collects the artifacts from the Etruscan city of Spina; the Pinacoteca Nazionale displays masterpieces of medieval, Renaissance period and modern Ferrarese art plus works by great artists such as Giovanni Bellini, Ercole de'Roberti, Mantegna, Garofalo, il Bastianino, Niccolò Pisano and Dosso Dossi; the Cathedral Museum; the Museo dell'Ottocento.
Other sites include: the Giovanni Boldini Museum, which has the greatest works of the painter that show the development of his artistic career, starting with the traditional Italian style up to the impressionists; the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum “Filippo de Pisis”; the Jewish Museum tells the story of the Jewish community immortalised in the writings of Giorgio Bassani; the Italian history museum, the "Museo del Risorgimento e della Resistenza".
Also worth seeing are the Estense Castle, perfectly preserved with its frescoed walls decorated with tapestries, the ducal kitchens, the prisons, the orange garden and the ducel chapel; Casa Romei, built in the 15th century and home to many religious frescoes, furniture belonging to the “Ferrariae Decus” from the beginning of the 20th century and a large lapidarium; the Schifanoia building, with its majestic cycle of the Months, and the Marfisa d'Este building.
Events
A wide array of events help pass the time in Ferrara.
The International Kite Festival at the end of April; during the month of May, several events for the Palio of Ferrara, a historical re-enactment of the era of Borso d'Este, which involves the eight contrade (districts) of the city.
Ferrara offers a programme of outdoor evening concerts during the summer, Ferrara Sotto Le Stelle, in which internationally acclaimed artists perform in the shadow of the scenographic Estense Castle. At the end of August, the Buskers Festival features street artists who colour the city and liven up the streets of the historical center. This festival has been held since 1987.
The Balloons Festival is a chance to see lots of hot air balloons rise above the city in September. In October, "Internazionale a Ferrara" attracts journalists from all over the world, and the city threatre schedules the season's entertainment in a programme of concerts, opera, plays and dance performances.
Besides all this, throughout the year there are initiatives at the nearby Trade Fair Centres of Ferrara and Bologna.
Itineraries
Ferrara is also known as the city of bicycles. The city walls, built in 1492, are still in excellent condition and provide an opportunity for a bicycle tour of a few kilometers through the countryside out in the open air.
For visitors who prefer to explore the plains of the Ferrarese province, the lovely estates left by the Este family known as "Delizie Estensi" (including Belriguardo, Verginese and Mesola) and the Pomposa abbey, the Rocca of Stellata and the castle La Giovannina di Cento can be part of a rich historical-artistic intinerary.
To enjoy uncontaminated nature, the Po Delta Park is ideal for discovering the interesting world of fish farming and for observing protected bird species.