Modena
Modena (UK: /ˈmɒdɪnə/, US: /ˈmoʊd-/, Italian: [ˈmɔːdena] ⓘ; Modenese: Mòdna [ˈmɔdnɐ]; Etruscan: Mutna; Latin: Mutina) is a city and comune (municipality) on the south side of the Po Valley, in the Province of Modena, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy.
Modena
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| Comune di Modena | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Modena | |
Modena Location of Modena in Italy Modena Modena (Emilia-Romagna) | |
| Coordinates: 44°38′49″N 10°55′32″E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Emilia-Romagna |
| Province | Modena (MO) |
| Frazioni | Albareto, Baggiovara, Ca' Fusara, Cognento, Cittanova, Collegara, Ganaceto, Lesignana, Marzaglia, Navicello, Portile, San Damaso, San Donnino, Tre Olmi, Villanova |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Gian Carlo Muzzarelli (PD) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 183.23 km2 (70.75 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 34 m (112 ft) |
| Population (31 December 2015) | |
| • Total | 184,732 |
| • Density | 1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Modenese |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 41121-41126 |
| Dialing code | 059 |
| ISTAT code | 036023 |
| Patron saint | San Geminiano |
| Saint day | 31 January |
| Website | Official website |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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| Criteria | Cultural: i, ii, iii, iv |
| Reference | 827 |
| Inscription | 1997 (21st Session) |
A town, and seat of an archbishop, it is known for its car industry since the factories of the famous Italian upper-class sports car makers Ferrari, De Tomaso, Lamborghini, Pagani and Maserati are, or were, located there and all, except Lamborghini, have headquarters in the city or nearby. One of Ferrari's cars, the 360 Modena, was named after the town itself. Ferrari's production plant and Formula One team Scuderia Ferrari are based in Maranello south of the city.
The University of Modena, founded in 1175 and expanded by Francesco II d'Este in 1686, focuses on economics, medicine and law, and is the second oldest athenaeum in Italy. Italian military officers are trained at the Military Academy of Modena, and partly housed in the Baroque Ducal Palace. The Biblioteca Estense houses historical volumes and 3,000 manuscripts. The Cathedral of Modena, the Torre della Ghirlandina and Piazza Grande are a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
Modena is also known in culinary circles for its production of balsamic vinegar.
Famous Modenesi include Mary of Modena, the Queen consort of England and Scotland; operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti and soprano Mirella Freni, born in Modena itself; Enzo Ferrari, eponymous founder of the Ferrari motor company; Catholic priest Gabriele Amorth; chef Massimo Bottura; comics artist Franco Bonvicini; the band Modena City Ramblers and singer-songwriter Francesco Guccini, who lived here for several decades.