Ducal Palace of Modena
Palazzo ducale di Modena
The Ducal Palace of Modena.
General information
Type	Palace
Architectural style	Italian Baroque
Location	Modena, Italy
Coordinates	44°38′54″N 10°55′46″E / 44.6484°N 10.9294°E / 44.6484; 10.9294
Current tenants	Italian Military Academy
Construction started	1634
Client	Francesco I d'Este
Owner	Este
Technical details
Floor count	3
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Gaspare Vigarani, Bartolomeo Avanzini
Invalid designation
Official name	Palazzo ducale di Modena
Type	Non-movable
Criteria	Monument
State	Italy

The Ducal Palace of Modena is a Baroque palace in Modena, Italy. It was the residence of the Este Dukes of Modena between 1452 and 1859. It currently houses a portion of the Italian Military Academy.

History

The palace occupies the site of the former Este Castle, once at the periphery of the city. Although generally credited to Bartolomeo Avanzini, it has been suggested that advice and guidance in the design process had been sought from Pietro da Cortona, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini.

The Palace has a Baroque façade from which the Honour Court and the Honour Staircase can be accessed.

In 1696, Marcantonio Franceschini was commissioned to create a frescoed ceiling for the central Sala d'Onore ("Hall of Honour") for the marriage of Rinaldo d'Este to Princess Charlotte Felicity of Brunswick. The Salottino d'Oro ("Golden Sitting Room"), covered with gilded removable panels, was used by Duke Francis III as his main office.

Modern use

The Palace currently houses the Italian Military Academy, the Military Museum and a library.

Military ceremonies are held in the Honour Court.

Este births and deaths

Being a residential palace, a significant number of Este family members were born or died at the palace including:

• Isabella d'Este (1635–1666) - born at the palace.
• Rinaldo d'Este, Duke of Modena (1655–1737) - born and died at the palace.
• Duchess Charlotte of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1671–1710) - died at the palace in childbirth (the child also died).
• Maria Teresa Felicitas d'Este (1726–1754) - born at the palace.
• Ercole III d'Este, Duke of Modena (1727–1803) - born at the palace.
• Maria Fortunata d'Este (1731–1803)