Ferrara’s hidden gems: lesser-known places most tourists miss

Ferrara’s hidden gems start a few steps from Castello Estense: an oval carriage courtyard inside the Teatro Comunale, Lucrezia Borgia’s tomb in the choir of a Poor Clares convent, a monastery where the nuns let you in when you ring the bell. All are open to the public, often free or by donation, but hours are short.

Hours are approximate (24-hour clock), checked in October 2026: confirm on official websites.

Why does Ferrara have so many secret places?

The Este family ruled Ferrara until 1598 and left more churches, convents and palaces than a one-day visit can cover. Some are working monasteries that open only a few hours a day.

Others reopened recently after long restorations: the church of San Paolo in 2024, the Palazzina Marfisa d’Este in 2025.

Lesser-known churches and monasteries in Ferrara

Monastery of Corpus Domini

At Via Pergolato 4, the choir of the Poor Clares holds the tombs of Lucrezia Borgia, Alfonso I d’Este, Eleonora d’Aragona and Alfonso II. The Monastery of Corpus Domini opens Monday to Friday, 15:30-17:30, by donation.

Monastery of Sant’Antonio in Polesine

Founded in 1257 by the Blessed Beatrice II d’Este and still home to nuns, it has 3 chapels with frescoes by followers of Giotto from the early 1300s. Ring the bell. Open Monday to Saturday 9:30-11:30 and 15:15-16:45, Sunday afternoons only.

Basilica of Santa Maria in Vado

Tradition says that on Easter Sunday 1171 blood spurted from the host during Mass and stained the vault above the altar. That vault is kept in a small 1594 shrine in the right transept of Biagio Rossetti’s basilica, at Borgovado 3. Weekdays 8:30-12:30 and 15:30-19:00.

Church of San Paolo

At Corso Porta Reno 60, the church of San Paolo holds the tombs of the humanist Guarino Veronese and the composer Luzzasco Luzzaschi; its bell tower is the medieval Torre dei Leuti. Open Friday and Saturday 9-12 and 16-19, Sunday 10-12 and 16-18.

Hidden courtyards, houses and corners

Rotonda Foschini

Inside the Teatro Comunale is an oval courtyard designed by Cosimo Morelli for carriages. Today the Rotonda Foschini is pedestrian and hosts exhibitions and events: walk in from one of the two street passages and look up.

Palazzina Marfisa d’Este

At Corso Giovecca 170, this 16th-century residence built by Francesco d’Este passed to his daughter Marfisa: a loggia painted with vines, period furniture, an Italian garden, English audio guides. Tuesday to Sunday 9:30-13 and 15-18; full ticket 6 euros.

House of Ludovico Ariosto

The poet lived at Via Ariosto 67 from 1529 until his death in 1533; the inscription “Parva sed apta mihi” (small, but right for me) is still on the facade. It also houses the Giorgio Bassani Foundation. Free entry, Tuesday to Sunday 10-12:30 and 16-18.

Two brief notes. Casa Romei, a 15th-century mansion on Via Savonarola, is under restoration with limited openings. Via delle Volte, with its medieval hanging arches, starts from Corso Porta Reno, San Paolo’s street.

Secret places in Ferrara hiding in plain sight

Opposite the cathedral, by the Volto del Cavallo arch, the column under Borso’s statue alternates pink marble and white stone. After an 18th-century fire it was rebuilt partly with Jewish tombstones, rediscovered in 1960: read the story of the column and the tombstones.

At the far end of Corso Giovecca, the Prospettiva arch (Francesco Mazzarelli, 1703) acts as a stage backdrop for the avenue. See it from a distance.

The Certosa and the monumental cemetery

The Certosa di Ferrara, at Via Borso 1, was founded in 1452 as a Carthusian monastery by Borso d’Este and has been the city’s monumental cemetery since the 1800s: curved marble and terracotta arcades and the tombs of Borso, director Michelangelo Antonioni and painter Filippo de Pisis.

The church of San Cristoforo, attributed to Biagio Rossetti, has reopened after the 2012 earthquake: daily from 8:45, closing at 17:15 in summer and 16:45 in winter. Address and directions are on the page about the Certosa monumental cemetery.

How to plan an off-the-beaten-path walk or bike ride

Go on a Friday, the only day when everything here is open. Churches and the Certosa in the morning, Casa Ariosto before 12:30, monasteries between 15:15 and 17:30. Ferrara is flat, so a bike links the stops easily.

In June, after sunset, cycle into the countryside: the secret place of the fireflies is a dirt road where Via Cà Bruciate meets Via Stornara.

Where to stay to explore secret Ferrara by bike

Hotel Annunziata is at Piazza della Repubblica 5, in the pedestrian zone opposite Castello Estense. At the entrance, the Art Digital Wall, 4 screens with images and videos of the city, suggests unplanned visits.

The Tips section offers two free guides to download, “Ferrara Instagrammable” and “Ferrara spotted by Zeno”, with non-touristy taverns and local curiosities picked by Zeno.

For the ride there’s Rent a bike: city bikes at 15 euros a day, also for non-guests.