Finally you’re in Ferrara, the city of the Renaissance, of Palazzo dei Diamanti and of St. George Cathedral. Suppose you’ve just arrived here, full of expectations and with a precise to do list in your mind, and it suddenly starts pouring with rain.
For some people, rain doesn’t matter, they just open the umbrella and that’s it. There’s no denying that an unexpected rain will spoil the day though, especially if it’s intense.
So, what can you do in Ferrara when in a rainy day? Here's our list of places to go to and of activities to do when the weather is not on our side.
Surrounded by a moat full of water, with its elegant shape and the warm colour of bricks, this medieval building catches the eye right from the outside. Also known as San Michele Castle, it was built for defensive purposes in 1385 following a design by Bartolino da Novara, and then became the permanent residence of the Estense family in Ferrara.
The castle houses a lot of different spaces, ranging from kitchens to prisons, and from ceremonial rooms to the dukes’ private apartments. You can also find a roof garden named “orange garden“. To admire the landscape, you should go up Torre dei Leoni tower. But you’d better wait for the next sunny day!
The fame of its 8.000 diamond-shaped ashlar is worldwide known. The material used for the external walls is white and pink marble that stands out from the prevailing colours of the Estensi city, thus making it unique. Built on the project of Biagio Rossetti between the end of the 1400s and beginning of 1500s, Palazzo dei Diamanti is best admired if you place yourself in front of the corner of the two facades.
We suggest you try it as a dessert in a typical restaurant or as a snack in one of the local pastry shops.
Bad weather could turn into a good chance to take a look at boutiques and clothing stores for example, and stroll in the shopping streets like via Bersaglieri del Po, via Voltapaletto, via Adelardi and via Canonica.
Don’t forget to take a look at Trento Trieste Square and its neighbouring streets as well, a few steps away from the cathedral.
In this link you’ll find a complete list of Ferrara’s shopping places.
For some people, rain doesn’t matter, they just open the umbrella and that’s it. There’s no denying that an unexpected rain will spoil the day though, especially if it’s intense.
So, what can you do in Ferrara when in a rainy day? Here's our list of places to go to and of activities to do when the weather is not on our side.
A tour of Castello Estense
Castello Estense is a timeless classic. It is one of the most spectacular in the region and also a good place to shelter in bad weather.Surrounded by a moat full of water, with its elegant shape and the warm colour of bricks, this medieval building catches the eye right from the outside. Also known as San Michele Castle, it was built for defensive purposes in 1385 following a design by Bartolino da Novara, and then became the permanent residence of the Estense family in Ferrara.
The castle houses a lot of different spaces, ranging from kitchens to prisons, and from ceremonial rooms to the dukes’ private apartments. You can also find a roof garden named “orange garden“. To admire the landscape, you should go up Torre dei Leoni tower. But you’d better wait for the next sunny day!
Visiting Palazzo Diamanti for an exhibition
Coming to Ferrara and not visiting Palazzo dei Diamanti, at least from the outside, is like going to Rome and not visiting the Vatican Museums. If weather is not on your side, then you can enter and visit both the current exhibition and the Pinacoteca Nazionale gallery.The fame of its 8.000 diamond-shaped ashlar is worldwide known. The material used for the external walls is white and pink marble that stands out from the prevailing colours of the Estensi city, thus making it unique. Built on the project of Biagio Rossetti between the end of the 1400s and beginning of 1500s, Palazzo dei Diamanti is best admired if you place yourself in front of the corner of the two facades.
Tasting a slice of tenerina cake
When it’s snack time, nobody can take a slice of tenerina away from you. Those who crave chocolate will love this typical cake of Ferrara made of butter, sugar, flour, eggs and dark chocolate. It’s very easy to prepare as well, and there’s no yeast: once taken out from oven, it remains low and moist, and it melts as soon as you bite it.We suggest you try it as a dessert in a typical restaurant or as a snack in one of the local pastry shops.
A walk along the shopping streets
Another idea to escape from rain is going on a shopping tour in the city centre.Bad weather could turn into a good chance to take a look at boutiques and clothing stores for example, and stroll in the shopping streets like via Bersaglieri del Po, via Voltapaletto, via Adelardi and via Canonica.
Don’t forget to take a look at Trento Trieste Square and its neighbouring streets as well, a few steps away from the cathedral.
In this link you’ll find a complete list of Ferrara’s shopping places.