La Corte d’Este
A luxurious “home-from-home” in Modena's historic centre
The Corte d’Este apartment is situated on the fourth and fifth floors of a wonderfully refurbished 18th century aristocratic palazzo on the majestic Corso Canalgrande in the historical centre of Modena. Guests will have full use of the entire apartment. The Corte d’Este’s hosts / housekeepers are in the adjoining apartment and are available for cleaning and other requests.
Once inside the imposing double doors of the palazzo, the property can be accessed either by a direct lift up to the fourth floor or by using the building’s original sweeping staircase with its carefully restored traditional frescoes.
The apartment has been stylishly refurbished with an elegant mix of antique and modern tastes and is fully airconditioned throughout. The lift opens directly into the apartment and a corridor with original Venetian marble flooring. The spacious, light-filled living room overlooks Canalgrande and the Luciano Pavarotti Opera House with designer Italian furniture by B&B Italia and Porro, complemented by a mix of modern and vintage artwork. In addition, there is a full-sized leather and Plexiglas billiard table.
The dining area has a vintage William Yeoward dining table and chairs (seats 6-8 guests) and leads to a modern, fully-equipped kitchen with breakfast bar and a private terrace with views of the city. There is also a double height TV room and library with Smart TV and comfortable sofas where guests can relax after a day’s sightseeing.
Also on the fourth floor can be found a guest cloakroom and a double bedroom with a desk, TV and ensuite bathroom. On the fifth floor there is the master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and free-standing bath, plus a further bedroom with a large single bed and bathroom. A spiral wooden staircase winds up from the fifth floor landing to the “altana” which has 360 degree views of the city’s roofs and Duke’s Palace (former seat of the Este Court, now a military academy), plus a study area with printing facilities. (Please see Layout Section for more details)
About Modena
Modena is one of the small gems of Italy, at the centre of the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The city and the province of Modena have a rich cultural and gastronomic heritage. Its UNESCO-recognised historical centre (il centro storico) is full of wonderful restaurants where you can sample the real balsamic vinegar of Modena, handmade tortellini and sparkling Lambrusco wine, unlike any you will have tasted elsewhere. Modena is also home to one of the most famous and top-rated restaurants in the world, Osteria Francescana – booking in advance is advised…! Also highly recommended is the wonderful Albinelli covered market, which since 1990 has been recognized to be a monument of national relevance and
where you can buy delicious local produce.
Car enthusiasts will know Modena as the “Supercar Capital” of the world, given that the famous Italian luxury sportscar brands of Ferrari, De Tomaso, Lamborghini, Pagani and Maserati are, or were, located here. There are two famous Ferrari museums, one in Modena, the other in the nearby village of Maranello and both are well worth a visit. For those who love both food and cars, we highly recommend a visit to Hombre, where not only can you see the entire process for production of Parmigiano Reggiano D.O.P Bio Hombre, but also visit the stunning Maserati car collection of Umberto Panini.
Modena has a strong cultural and artistic history, from its beautiful Romanesque cathedral which is attached to the soaring Ghirlandina Tower (which leans at an angle to rival the Leaning Tower Pisa) to the Teatro Comunale (just opposite the apartment), now renamed in honour of one of Modena’s most famous sons, the late, revered Italian tenor, Luciano Pavarotti.
Another recommendation is a guided tour of the Duke’s Palace, Palazzo Ducale, is a stunning example of Baroque architecture which housed the Este Court for more than two centuries and is today the headquarters of the Italian Military Academy.
