Modena travel guide
1. Best things to do in Modena (Liguria)
Arriving from the station, Modena shows modest but magnificent along Via Crispi... The Tempio dei caduti, monumental and extraordinary opens the door to the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari: a paradise for car lovers.
Piazza Roma encompasses the extraordinary façade of the Palazzo Ducale and the Piazza Grande is home of the beautiful covered market Albinelli, Art Nouveau, vibrant, colorful morning hangout where to find the specialties of the famous cuisine of Modena, strictly km0.
A little farther on, past the church of San Bartolomeo be amazed by the narrow streets of this old part of the historic center, walking under the arcades and squares.
Push yourself to the monastery of St. Peter, pause along the snaking Canal Light or square in St. James.
Last gem: the Forum Boarium century cattle market. La Palazzina dei Giardini Ducale, Palazzo Santa Margherita and Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti, nestled among the historic homes, will rock in the middle of the city of “bel canto”. Magic in its purest form.
2. Tastes and local food
The main dish is undoubtedly the tortellini, navel puff pastry filled with meat (pork, ham, sausage or sausage) which are caught by the spoonful from the capon broth.
Others are the tortelloni stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese, topped with melted butter and sage. Even in Modena you will find passatelli, vermicelli pasta prepared with very coarse bread crumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese and nutmeg.
After that you will find sausages and fatty meats. At the first place the sausage, served with lentils and mashed, cooked boiled, stuffed with minced meat sausage is similar to the equally traditional knuckle. Two brands IGP not to be missed. Also excellent 'priest's hat' and less noble pork cuts (tongue and nose). Direct derivation of swine flu are also excellent charcuterie tradition of Modena. In the first place the ham, which recently received the DOP; then greaves, to enjoy with your hands as if they were potato chips; Coppa, salami and cunza: a lard flavored with garlic, salt and rosemary, specifically designed to be coated within tigelle.
The fried dumpling is a mixture of water, flour and lard for frying. Served hot and swollen, you taste with the meats or accompanied by sweet flavors and contrasting. Jams, marmalades and honey.
Modena is primarily the home of traditional balsamic vinegar, also nicknamed "the black gold of the city." The king of condiments since the time of Napoleon, who apparently had confiscated the vinegar of the Duke.
An important note: Balsamic Vinegar of Modena with IGP recognition is is aged from 3 to 5 years. Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena (ABTM), however, is sold in special flasks round and it is the most valuable product because aged up to 12 years.
Both are great for dressing salads, fried, Parmesan cheese, risotto, shrimp or strawberries.
Do not forget that Modena, together with Parma and Reggio Emilia, is the official seat of the production of Parmigiano-Reggiano DOP. So all your dishes flavored with grated this precious ... especially if you find yourself at the Osteria della Luna, in Vignola. A fairytale and enchanted where you can wander in the choice of wines and typical local dishes.
3. Vignola and surroundings
Vignola is best known for the famous cherries but also has a beautiful fortress with frescoes and a truly picturesque hinterland.
Do not miss the geological phenomenon of sauces Nirano. They originate from deposits of gaseous hydrocarbons: the gas comes out pushing and dragging up the groundwater. Clays tempered that are brought to the surface are deposited around the opening, forming typical cones ...
4. Nature, sport and green itineraries
Why don’t you get lost in an untouched and sweet wilderness?
We are talking about the natural reserve of the Bank of the River Secchia Expansion. The overflow of the river Secchia, located between the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia, in the territory of the municipalities of Modena, Campogalliano and Rubiera, was created to regulate the flooding of the river, but soon acquired considerable naturalistic value.
260 acres of nature reserve with lakes, islands and peninsulas to be enjoyed on foot, by bicycle or on horseback... the vegetation that will take is typical of the wetlands of the plains and no shortage of water lilies ...
Excellent destination for bird watching enthusiasts: often you can see hawks, kestrels and buzzards. Not only that!
You will find foxes, badgers, weasels, dormice and roes: in short, a forest to spend a pleasant Sunday with friends!
5. Where to stay in Modena and surroundings
Discover all eco-friendly accommodations in the province of Modena, organic farms surrounded by vineyards and cherry trees, small eco B&B set in ancient villages, eco-sustainable hotels or apartments.
Discover all eco-friendly accommodations in Modena
by Angela Sebastianelli
Cover photo by Roberto Ferrari, via flickr
