|
|
|
Ferrara - History |
|
Ferrara, city, northern Italy, capital of Ferrara Province, in Emilia-Romagna Region, on the Po River. Surrounded by broad tracts of fertile land, much of which has been reclaimed from marshes, Ferrara is an agricultural marketing centre with many food-processing establishments. Other manufactures include chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and machinery.
The
Este family became rulers of Ferrara in 1208 and ruled until 1598, when,
for lack of a male heir in the direct line of descent, the city was
claimed by the pope and joined to the Papal States. In 1861 it became part
of the kingdom of Italy. Bombing in World War II caused considerable
damage. Population (1997 estimate) 133,593. The history of Ferrara dates back nearly 1,300 years. Located along the banks of the Po River, Ferrara originated as a Byzantine military castrum (or fortified city), later expanding outside of the castrum from the 7th to 10th centuries. In 1115, there was a simultaneous development of events: politically, Ferrara became a free commune and the new Cathedral was built and consecrated in 1135. This Cathedral was significant in that it moved the city centre to the north, where it still remains to this day. From this time, the expansion of Ferrara occurred due to a succession of "additions": the city expanded with an innovative urban plan. The first innovation occurred in 1385, when Nicolo II d'Este entrusted to the architect Bartolino da Novara the construction of the Estense Castle and its surrounding area. The second innovation occurred in1450 when Borso d'Este moved the bed of the Po river, and urbanized the area. The third, and most celebrated innovation, known as the "Herculean addition", was developed in 1492 by Ercole I d'Este who doubled the size of Ferrara, radically changing its aspect and earning it the title of "the first modern city of Europe" by Jacob Burckardt. Between the dates of 1492 and 1502, construction in Ferrara continued at an amazing speed under the supervision of the great local architect, Biaggio Rossetti. It was during this time that Ferrara acquired the aspect of an important European city; capital of a State which dealt with the major powers of the continent on an equal level. Just when it reached its maximum splendour, the decline of Estense Ferrara mysteriously began.
The decline of the Estense dominion lasted for 3 centuries and came to a definite end in 1598 when Cesare d'Este, the last Duke, was forced to abandon the city. At this time, the city once again returned under the rule of the Pontifical State. When the Estenses left Ferrara and moved to Modena, Ferrara plummeted into a sleep which lasted more than three centuries, making it seem a semi-abandoned city. In the second half of the 1900's Ferrara, the "sleeping beauty" awoke almost as if out of a spell. Not only did Ferrara make an economic and social comeback, but it also had a reawakening of the importance of its great past. Despite the fact that most of its wealth was taken away, not all was lost. In the Palazzo di Schifanoia, there are a series of frescoes dedicated to the "Months" which have been preserved and are among the most celebrated paintings of the Renaissance.
|
|
|
|
|
©
Copyright 2000 - 2004 Eurotravelling.net POWERED BY
wORLDTRAVELGATE.NET |
 Back to WTG |
During
the Renaissance Ferrara was the capital of the dukes of Este, whose court
was a brilliant cent
The
Estense dominion and its court, which consisted of famous foreign artists,
renowned painters, writers and musicians (among whom were to be found
Cosme' Tura, Ercole de'Roberti, Francesco del Cossa, Dosso Dossi, Ludovico
Ariosto, Torquato Tasso and Gerolamo Frescobaldi) had made the city famous
throughout Europe by making it an important cultural cent
Ferrara
is a city to be visited for countless reasons. Its Cathedral is a
veritable gem of Romanic and Gothic architecture. The Church of Saint
Antonio in Polesine has beautiful frescoes from the 13th and 14th
centuries. The Estense Castle is an extraordinary example of military
architecture. The Casa Romei, known commonly as the Palazzo dei Diamanti
was a luxurious private Renaissance residence. The powerful walls
surrounding the city give insight into the city as a "castrum"
and take you back in time. The layout of this unique city is a result of
the medieval and Renaissance periods, and is the silent and atmospheric
city which, not by chance, inspired the metaphysic paintings of Giorgio de
Chirico. In the Museo Nazionale Archeologico of Ferrara, there are
numerous artefacts collected from other museums in Italy and outside of
Italy which have been brought to testify to Ferrara's formidable past.
