What to do and see in Modena, Emilia-Romagna: The Best Specialty Museums

Acetaia giusti is the oldest producer of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, founded in 1605. Nowadays, the company is run by the 17th generation of the Giusti family. A history of more than 400 years full of awards received during the World Exhibitions of the late ‘800s. Among them: the 14 gold medals and the Coat of Arms of the Royal House of Savoia that now characterize the labels of our bottles. The Giusti Balsamic Vinegar collections are available in the most exclusive restaurants and shops in Italy and worldwide.

Explore the private home Pavarotti built in his beloved hometown, transformed by the Pavarotti Foundation into a museum housing his exceptional collection of personal items, unseen memorabilia, costumes and awards gathered throughout his artistic career.

Small PerfumAlchemic Museum know with your nose. Multisensory experience - free admission - book your tour! Tailored sensory menus. Perfume bookshop The tours express the novel method To know as conceived by Anna Rosa Ferrari *. They may be epitomized in the sentences “follow your nose... your nose knows best” “ the kingdom of separateness has fallen” An innovative type of museum is being born dedicated to perfumes, suggestive even to those who are not privy to the matter. In the course of your own personal journey you turn up here “by chance”, as after crossing an unknown intersection... to enjoy yourself, fulfill your curiosity to mix anew your senses in harmony with nature to get to know yourself through your nose. * A.R. Ferrari, profoundly trained throughout a laborious existential/experiential search, is a master perfumer and philosopher.

Museo Casa Ezno Ferrari (Enzo Ferrari's Birthplace Museum) includes the restored house where he was born and a new futuristic automotive design gallery with a yellow cover, designed by the architect Jan Kaplický. It is located in Modena; the Birthplace hosts a permanent exhibition on the life of Ferrari's founder Enzo, while the gallery houses temporary exhibitions of vintage cars. The Museum opened 10th March 2012.

The Fondazione Fotografia Modena is an exhibition and training centre entirely dedicated to photography and contemporary imagery. Through a wide range of activities - ranging from the production of shows and events to training and the management of major collections - it provides a privileged platform for dialogue and the investigation of the fundamental role played by imagery in our culture.

Il Museo Lapidario racconta la storia della città di Modena, dai tempi della sua fondazione romana fino alla modernità. Reperti archeologici, targhe, lapidi storiche e monumenti provenienti da collezioni estensi, chiese cittadine o donati dai modenesi stessi. Un vasto patrimonio che racconta l’evoluzione della società e del gusto artistico modenese attraverso gli oggetti privati e gli arredi pubblici.

The original collection of the Lapidarium Museum includes finds which came to light as the cathedral was being restored between the end of the 19th and 20th century. In the collection there are sculptures and there is relief art work from Roman times which was mainly reused as building material to build the Duomo. There are also fragments from the previous medieval cathedrals, finds from the Roman period, ancient inscriptions, both medieval and modern. Of importance in the exhibition are the plutei from the pre-existing High Middle Ages cathedral, the San Geminiano Arch, the noteworthy series of Metope, consisting of eight sculptures depicting monster like creatures (gargoyles) and fantastic beings and carved by a master craftsman working in Wiligelmo’s workshop, as well as one of the lion column bases at the Porta dei Principi, which was later removed and replaced by a copy after being damaged during WWII.