Wikipedia (
visit link) informs us:
"Ducal Palace of Modena
The Ducal Palace of Modena is a Baroque palace in Modena, Italy. It was the residence of the Este Dukes of Modena between 1452 and 1859. It currently houses a portion of the Italian Military Academy.
History
The palace occupies the site of the former Este Castle, once at the periphery of the city. Although generally credited to Bartolomeo Avanzini, it has been suggested that advice and guidance in the design process had been sought from Pietro da Cortona, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini.
The Palace has a Baroque façade from which the Honour Court and the Honour Staircase can be accessed.
In 1696, Marcantonio Franceschini was commissioned to create a frescoed ceiling for the central Sala d'Onore ("Hall of Honour") for the marriage of Rinaldo d'Este to Princess Charlotte Felicity of Brunswick. The Salottino d'Oro ("Golden Sitting Room"), covered with gilded removable panels, was used by Duke Francis III as his main office."
The Visit Modena website (
visit link) adds:
"Modena’s Ducal Palace, once the sumptuous residence of the Estense Court and today the home of the military academy, is a splendid example of Baroque architecture and one of the most important royal palaces of the 1600s.
The Italian Military Academy has its headquarters at the Ducal Palace, designed by Rome architect Bartolomeo Avanzini and built from 1634 onwards. For more than 200 years, this was the home of the Este Court. You can visit the interior by booking one of the tours organized by the tourist office (ph (+39) 0592032660), which only take place on weekends. Inside, a majestic stairway climbs from the Honour Court to a loggia that gives access to three apartments. After the Princes’ Apartment, the Private Apartment houses the Museum of Military Academy museum, while the State Apartment contains frescoes and portraits of the Este family. The most spectacular rooms are the vast, elegant Hall of Honour and the 18th-century Golden Salon
Roman architect Bartolomeo Avanzini designed the Palazzo Ducale, whose construction began in 1634. The Palazzo housed the Este Court for more than two centuries and is today the headquarters of the Italian Military Academy. The elegant façade has three windows placed side-by-side and crowned by balustrades with statues. The central and lateral parts are raised.
The courtyard of honour with an elegant two-storey arcade is considered a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. From here you access the monumental staircase of honour adorned with Roman statues, which leads to the numerous rooms of the Estense Residence. Special mention should be made of the Sala del Trono, Salottino d'Oro, Salone d'Onore and the Sala dello Stringa.
Today the palace is the headquarters of the Military Academy and can be visited only with a guided tour on Saturdays and Sundays upon reservation.
The guided tour also includes the visit to the Military Academy History Museum where weapons and armatures, memorabilia, relics and military items (flags, uniforms, drums, etc.) are on display."