Delizia Estense del Verginese

About the museum

The Delizia del Verginese is one of the country residences of the Este family: a small crenellated castle surrounded by a large productive garden of Renaissance design, the Brolo. Alfonso I d’Este gave it to Laura Dianti. The complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites dedicated to the Este residences.

On the ground floor is the archaeological museum of the Sepolcreto dei Fadieni, which displays Roman-period finds from a family necropolis discovered by chance in the surrounding area in 2002 and dating to the 1st–2nd century AD. The archaeological collection was set up in 2006, became a museum in 2022 and received a new display in 2023. The finds document the daily, economic and social life of a Roman family.

The Brolo includes flowering meadows, flower beds and rose bushes in a symmetrical design, with fruit trees such as pomegranates, pears, hazelnuts and apples, as well as a vine trained up trees (vite maritata). At the far end of the garden stands the dovecote tower, once used for breeding pigeons for food. The Vinaia del Sapere, a restored former drying room, hosts exhibitions and cultural events.

Highlights

• Crenellated Este castle, UNESCO site
• Archaeological museum of the Sepolcreto dei Fadieni with Roman finds
• Brolo garden with flowering meadows, rose bushes and fruit trees
• Dovecote tower and vine trained up trees
• Vinaia del Sapere for exhibitions and events

Permanent exhibitions

• Museo del Sepolcreto dei Fadieni – Roman finds from a family necropolis of the 1st–2nd century AD, discovered in 2002 near the Delizia.
• Brolo, il giardino rinascimentale – Reconstructed productive garden with flowering meadows, rose bushes, fruit trees and the dovecote tower.

Operated by

Comune di Portomaggiore (gestione Atlantide)

Admission & discounts

Free admission for residents of the Municipality of Portomaggiore. The site also offers online booking of experiences and visits.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the Municipality’s listing, the site is accessible to people with disabilities and has adapted toilets.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The small church can host civil weddings, and the Delizia can host receptions.

Plan your visit