Galleria Estense (Palazzo dei Musei)
Galleria Estense
The heart of the Este family’s art collection. It holds Velázquez’s portrait of Francesco I and Bernini’s bust, making it Modena’s most important art gallery.
The Galleria Estense occupies the top floor of the Palazzo dei Musei and displays paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts collected by the Dukes of Este over centuries. Its treasures include the portrait of Duke Francesco I painted by Velázquez and sculpted by Bernini, along with works by Tintoretto, Correggio, and El Greco. The same building houses the Estense Library, which displays the 15th-century illuminated manuscript “Bible of Borso d’Este,” the Civic Museum, and the Lapidary Museum. It is about an 8-minute walk from Piazza Grande and is closed on Mondays.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun approx. 08:30–19:30 (check official website)
Nearby sights
- Osteria Francescana
- Modena Cathedral & Piazza Grande
- Ghirlandina Tower
- Palazzo Comunale, Modena
- Mercato Albinelli
- Ducal Palace of Modena
- Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti
- Enzo Ferrari Museum, Modena