Piazza Ariostea: Attraction informations
Piazza Ariostea is one of the main squares of Ferrara. The origin of the square is linked to the enlargement of the medieval city, with the urbanistic addition known as the “herculean addition”.
This addition takes its name from Ercole I d'Este, a member of the reigning Dinasty, who wanted to recreate in a certain area of Ferrara his concept of ideal city. However, his ambitious project never saw the light: only two streets were built, with the amazing Palazzo dei Diamanti, seat of many interesting exhibitions, at their crossing. The rest of the addition remained almost inhabited, as the projections for their enlargement were proved wrong.
The square and the palio
Originally called Piazza Nuova, Piazza Ariostea has a rectangular shape and shows at its center a particular lowered ring used for the
palio.
The Palio of Ferrara is run every last Sunday of May, as the ending of a whole month of events and celebrations that include different competitions between the
8 contrade: San Giorgio, San Giacomo, San Benedetto, Santa Maria in Vado, Santo Spirito, San Paolo, San Giovanni and San Luca.
Among the different competitions, one of the most famous is the run of the “
putti” and the “
putte”, kids under 15 years that compete for the palio standard dedicated to Saint George.
Ludovico Ariosto, main character of the intellectual Ferrarese life
At the center of Piazza Ariostea, a 16th-century pillar stands out. Since 1833 it holds the statue of Ludovico Ariosto, although it was originally built to hold the equestrian monument to Ercole I.
Poet and diplomat
Ludovico Ariosto was
born in Reggio Emilia in 1474. Member of the Ariosti family, owners of a palazzo in front of the Cathedral of Bologna. Scholar of humanistic subjects, he had the advantage of having a father that, for diplomatic reasons, hanged out with the Estensi court, and therefore managed to enter the literary circles of those days and befriend characters such as
Pietro Bembo.
In 1516 his most famous opera was published, ”
Orlando Furioso”, that coveted an immediate success. He was engaged in several diplomatic trips and became governor of the region of
Garfagnana, where he distinguished himself for his high morality and management qualities.The saying goes that he felt overcome by the amount of engagements due to his job, which did not allow him to concentrate on his poetic composition.
Ariosto married the widow of a well-known merchant. The marriage was done in most secrecy as, in the meantime, Ariosto had taken his vows as a cleric.
He died in 1533 after several months of illness and with the deep sorrow of all the citizens in the city. His remains lay to rest in
Palazzo Paradiso, in a tomb designed for him by
Giovan Battista Aleotti.
The buildings surrounding Piazza Ariostea
Some of the most important palazzi of Ferrara face Piazza Ariostea, among them the 15th-century
Palazzo Rondinelli, Palazzo Strozzi Bevilacqua and in the north-west corner,
Palazzo Massari.
The façade of Palazzo Rondinelli presents a beautiful Renaissance gate, surmounted by 3 arches on the above level. Palazzo Strozzi Bevilacqua is easily recognized for its marble balcony in the corner. Last but not least, Palazzo Massari is the current seat of the
Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery.
