Galleria Estense

About the museum

The Galleria Estense was founded in 1854 by Francesco V d'Austria-Este and houses the works of art gathered by the Dukes of Este during their rule over Ferrara. Since 1894 the collection has been housed in the Palazzo dei Musei in Modena, on Largo Porta Sant'Agostino.

The route unfolds across four salons and eighteen rooms. Alongside paintings from the 14th to the 18th century, with an important core of Po Valley painting, the displays include marble and terracotta sculptures, antiquities, decorative arts from the ducal wardrobe, drawings, small bronzes, majolica, medals, ivories and musical instruments.

Among the masterpieces are Cima da Conegliano's Pietà, Correggio's Madonna and Child, Velázquez's portrait of Francesco I d'Este, El Greco's triptych, the marble bust of the same duke signed by Bernini and Guido Reni's Crucifix. The Galleria is part of the Gallerie Estensi, an institution of the Ministry of Culture that also includes other cultural sites in Modena, Ferrara and Sassuolo.

Highlights

• Pietà by Cima da Conegliano
• Madonna and Child by Correggio
• Portrait of Francesco I d'Este by Velázquez
• Marble bust of Francesco I d'Este by Bernini
• Triptych by El Greco
• Tactile route “Mani che vedono”

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni permanenti della Galleria Estense – Four salons and eighteen rooms with paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, drawings, small bronzes, majolica and musical instruments from the Este collections.

Founded

1854

Operated by

Ministero della Cultura – Gallerie Estensi

Visitors per year

approx. 53,495

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month.

Tickets at €7 for FAI members and at €6 for Coop Alleanza 3.0 members, Medici members and holders of the Modenantiquaria coupon. Other reductions and free admission follow the regulations of the Ministry of Culture.

Accessibility

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

The entrance for people with reduced mobility is at Viale Vittorio Veneto 5, with a ramp leading to the ticket office and the exhibition rooms. A lift serves the fourth floor, where staff open a dedicated passage. The whole Galleria can be visited by wheelchair or with a walker. The “Mani che vedono” route offers seven tactile stations with Braille panels and raised reliefs.

Kids & families

Admission is free for under-18s; the website does not describe specific activities for families.

Getting there & parking

On foot about 20 minutes from the station and 5 minutes from the Duomo. By car: from the Modena Nord exit of the A1, take the ring road to the “Centro storico” exit, then follow the signs for “Palazzo dei Musei”.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A bookshop and audio guide are listed; the website does not mention a café or Wi-Fi service.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit