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Ferrara

Ferrara, a gem nestled in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, has a rich history and a captivating atmosphere. The city flourished in the Renaissance under the rule of the Este family, which left an imprint on its architecture. Prominent landmarks are the Estense Castle, a moated fortress that once served as the Este family's home, Palazzo dei Diamanti (Palace of Diamonds), aptly named for its unique facade adorned with diamond-shaped marble blocks, and other historical-artistical buildings such as Palazzo Schifanoia. Ferrara's urban design reflects its Renaissance spirit but also offers a glimpse into medieval times with its Cathedral.

Presently, the city pulses with a vibrant energy.  From bustling squares to hidden alleyways, it brings together the atmospheres of an intriguing past rich with the dynamism of a university and a working city full of opportunities. 

The University of Ferrara and the tradition of prehistoric studies

Founded in 1391, this prestigious institution has witnessed centuries of learning and innovation, shaping countless minds over the years. The University offers a lively academic environment with a focus on various disciplines: fields like medicine, humanities, engineering, and law are all well-represented. The long-term tradition regarding prehistoric studies makes Ferrara one of the most important Italian organisations operating on this subject, with research and excavations involving the Alpine and pre-Alpine area but also other districts all over the peninsula and spanning from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Mesolithic. Research on Palaeontology and Palaeoethnology began with Prof. Piero Leonardi, founder of the Institute of Geology. Later, Prof. Alberto Broglio’s studies led to the identification of Mesolithic in Northern Italy in the 1960s, opening the way for the study and understanding of this period. Along with Prof. Broglio, other scholars brought forward the tradition of study in Prehistory at the University of Ferrara, namely Professors Antonio Guerreschi, Carlo Peretto, and Benedetto Sala. 

Palazzo Giordani

Palazzo Giordani (also known as Palazzo Guerini Giordani), placed in a central zone of the city, hosts the Department of Law of Ferrara University. Built by the architect Alessandro Biondo (pupil of the Renaissance architect Gianbiagio Rossetti) for Battista Guarini, at the end of the 15th century, the palace was originally part of a vast estate that included a sprawling garden stretching towards the nearby Chartusian Monastery, the Certosa. The structure and extension of the palace changed over the years, and in the 19th century, it passed to the Giordani family, which owned it until it passed to the University. Palazzo Giordani still constitutes a precious example of Renaissance architecture, displaying frescos and decorations of the period, alongside innovative elements such as the ornamentation created at the beginning of XX sec in art nouveau style.  In the wide courtyard, we can also see the reconstructed foundations of a Roman-age domus discovered during renovation works.

The surroundings: Corso Ercole I d’Este with its aristocratic buildings  

Palazzo Giordani is in the heart of the Renaissance town of Ferrara. It faces the promenade named after Duke Ercole I d’Este, who asked architect Gianbiagio Rossetti for a plan to allow the powerful city of Ferrara to grow bigger. Corso Ercole I d’Este is a perfect example of the modern rational concept for Renaissance towns. Along this paved promenade are the most important palaces. Among these, at a short distance walking from Palazzo Giordani, is the renowned Palazzo dei Diamanti (Diamanti Palace) and, in front of it, Palazzo Turchi di Bagno, home of the University Department of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences.