Castello Estense
- from EUR 12
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Why go
- Climb from the Saletta dei Giochi to the Lion’s Tower balustrade for a view of Ferrara.
- The Hall of Games ceiling has eleven panels showing sports favored by Duke Alfonso II.
- The Garden of the Oranges is a walled rooftop terrace with citrus pots and views over the city centre.
- Ugo and Parisina were held in separate cells before their execution in 1425 after their affair was discovered.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 18:00Show all
Don't miss
- Devolution Room ceilingIt depicts Ferrara passing from Este rule to the Papal States in 1598.Devolution Room
- Ferrara panelA large panel shows Ferrara near the end of the 15th century.Gallery anteroom
- Geography Room mapsMaps of Ferrara territory were made in 1709–1710.Torre Marchesana, also called the Clock Tower
- Council Room mosaicsCeramic mosaics bearing Ferrara’s coat of arms are part of the room’s Art Deco design.Council Room
Know before you go
- Groups of up to 25 people must book in advance.
- Open Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00. Closed Tuesday, 25 December and 31 December.
Legends and hidden details
- The Saletta dei Veleni may have served court pharmacists making medicines and, according to some accounts, poisons.
What's inside
- The Bacchanals room has a triptych fresco showing the triumph of Ariadne, the grape harvest and the triumph of Bacchus.
Tips for your visit
- Book online in advance to help avoid crowding.
- Call +39 0532 419180 for visit and tour enquiries.
With kids
- Ask about tours for younger visitors when checking guided-tour arrangements.
- Look for the wooden model of the fortress in the first ground-floor hall.
Interesting facts4
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The Saletta dei Giochi ceiling shows the Four Seasons dancing, surrounded by frescoes of Ancient Roman games.
Castello Estense - Wikipedia -
The Ducal Chapel has marble-covered walls without sacred images; its ceiling shows the Four Evangelists among cherubs.
Castello Estense - Wikipedia -
Fragments of portraits of Este ancestors survive beneath the courtyard’s east-side portico.
Castello Estense - Wikipedia -
The courtyard wells supplied water during droughts, and its stone balls served as catapult ammunition.
Château d'Este - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
The castle began as a fortress after the 1385 revolt, then became a residence for the Este court. Its rooms also held prisoners, including Ugo and Parisina, executed in 1425, and Giulio d’Este, freed after decades in prison. The castle later served as an administrative seat and museum.
- 13th c.The Torre dei Leoni stood as a watchtower guarding Ferrara’s northern walls and the Lion Gate.
- 1385After a tax revolt, Niccolò II d’Este commissioned a fortress to protect the Este court.
- 1450Borso d’Este adapted a wing as a residence for his court.
- 1477After a coup attempt in 1476, Éléonore moved into the castle with her children.
- 1507Alfonso I used the Via Coperta for private rooms and a study.
Show all
- 1544After a fire, Ercole II commissioned Girolamo da Carpi to remodel the castle’s exterior.
- 1559Giulio d’Este was freed at age 81 after fifty-three years in prison.
- 17th c.After the Este family left Ferrara, the castle became the Papal Legate’s residence and administrative seat.
- 1874The Province of Ferrara bought the castle for use as the Prefecture headquarters.
- 1946The castle was partly rebuilt after Allied bombing during World War II.
- 20th c.The castle began serving as a museum.
- 2012An earthquake damaged a tower, which was later restored.
Tours and audio guides
- Guided tours
- The museum no longer provides its own guided tours Call +39 0532 419180 to check current arrangements.
Sources: Castello Estense - Wikipedia · Castello Estense — Italiano · Accesso e Tariffe — Italiano · Visite guidate — Italiano · Castello Estense - Wikipedia · Château d'Este - Wikipedia · Castello Estense - Wikipedia · Castello Estense: seasons, visitor information … · Foto Gallery — Italiano · checked 6 Oct 2026
- Website
- castelloestense.it/it
- Phone
- +390532419180
Questions and answers
Why is Castello Estense also called Castello di San Michele?
Its first stone was laid on 29 September, Saint Michael’s feast day.
What art did the Camerini d’alabastro display?
The rooms displayed paintings by Tiziano and Dosso Dossi, and sculptures by Antonio Lombardo.
Why did Castello Estense become central to Ferrara?
The 1492 expansion of Ferrara made the castle the center of the renewed city.
What was the Saletta dei Veleni used for?
It may have been used by court pharmacists to make medicines; some accounts also associate it with poison-making.
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