Fiorano Modenese

Fiorano Modenese was a feud ruled by the Estensi family, the Pio family and the Coccapani family. It has very antique origins: there is record of human settlement since Neolithic times, and it is also an important Terramare zone. Due to their special features, the ceramics unearthed here have given name to Italy’s most ancient known Neolithic phase: “Fiorano Culture”. An ancient bond which ties the city to ceramics, now the productive soul of the ceramic district and world leader in tile making.

Tourist Information

Comune di Fiorano modenese

Tel +39 0536 833412 cultura@fiorano.it, www.fiorano.it

IAT Terra di Motori (engine world): tel. +39 0536 073036, iat@maranello.it

Fiorano Tourist Office

c/o Castello di Spezzano (April-November during the castle's opening times: Sat. and Sun. 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm) Address: Via del Castello, 12 - 41042 Spezzano di Fiorano Modenese

Tel. +39 0536.833298 (during castle opening times)

Tel +39 0536.833412 (office hours)

cultura@fiorano.it

www.fiorano.it

Area for camper parking in Fiorano

Address: via Cameazzo 6, 41042 Fiorano Modenese (MO)

Services provided: stopover, overnight stay, discharge of wastewater, waste collection and electric supply. Dedicated green area: choice of 6 pitches

Information: Tourist Office – Tel. 0536 833412 – Email: cultura@fiorano.it

Basilica della Beata Vergine (Sanctuary)

Piazza Giovanni Paolo II, 41042 Fiorano Modenese

A true symbol of Fiorano, the imposing Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine (Blessed Virgin) stands on the hill where the castle used to be. Commissioned by Duke Francesco I d'Este, it was built by Bartolomeo Avanzini in 1634 to host a fresco from the 1400s, removed from above the castle’s entrance. Its depiction of Madonna and Child is reputed to have performed several miracles that spared the citadel from attacks, fires and pestilence. The sanctuary’s interior is scenically decorated with frescoes from the 1600s made by Tommaso Costa and Sigismondo Caula, while the cupola was decorated by Adeodato Malatesta in the 1800s. From the panoramic terrace at the rear there is a full view of the prime hills and the plain: on sunny days it is even possible to make out the Alps. A tradition of pilgrimages has evolved over time around the Sanctuary.

OPENING TIMES

Every day between 7:30 am  – 8:00 pm

Free entry and free visit to the Sanctuary. Access to the image of the Madonna and to the collection of ex voto is allowed before and after liturgical celebrations; must be booked in advance at other times.

SANCTUARY INFORMATION

For the Sanctuary and guided tours (including small groups) tel. +39 0536 830042, www.parrocchiadifiorano.it - fb: parrocchia-di-fiorano, bv.castello@gmail.com.

For Casa Spiritualità (Spirituality House): casabeatavergine.fiorano@gmail.com, tel. 3711376329.

Spezzano Castle and the Ceramic Museum

Via del Castello 12, 41042 Spezzano (MO)

Fiorano’s medieval Spezzano Castle was transformed during the Renaissance. There is a living room with frescoes from the end of 1500s, made by Cesare Baglione, depicting the highlights of Marco III Pio’s reign. Wooden ceilings, pictorial cycles, prisons, a portico court and a historic park complete the picture. From here there is a foot-path leading to the natural reserve Salse di Nirano. Nowadays the castle hosts the Ceramics Museum, dedicated to the production technology involved in creating ceramics. It includes a collection of devotional pottery and a multi-media section on work done in the district. Another part of the museum is the photographic collection of Seccoumidofuoco and the Contemporary Collection, focussing on design, innovation and various works dedicated to Enzo Ferrari and to engines.

Free entry

www.facebook.com/castellodispezzano

OPENING TIMES Castle and museum

From April to October: Saturday and Sunday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

November: Saturday and Sunday 3 pm-6 pm.

FREE GUIDED TOUR at 5 pm on every last Sunday of the month.

Open for booking throughout the year for groups with guided tour (min. 10 people, 3 days in advance). Guided tours on booking: Tel +39 0522 532094, +39 0536 833412, cultura@fiorano.it

Regional Nature Reserve of Salse di Nirano
The Fiorano area is interested in the phenomenon of the so-called “Salse”. This mainly consists of specific sources of muddy and salty water with gas ebullitions constituting up to 98% of methane. They present as “little mud volcanoes”, cones and springs: superficial manifestations of underground presence of hydrocarbon deposits and saline waters originating from the sea. Although not properly connected to the presence of hot magma, this phenomenon is considered to be “pseudo-volcanic”. Inside the reserve there is an unravelling of 8 hiking trails and the location of the Cà Tassi Visitors’ Centre and the Cà Rossa Eco-museum.

Environment Office tel. 0536 833276 - 833258 ambiente@fiorano.it, www.facebook.com/riserva.nirano

The area can be visited in all seasons, but during the summer period it is advisable to avoid the hotter parts of the day and especially the ravines area, because it is completely exposed to the sun. The reserve becomes inhospitable even after rainfall, due to a strong clay content in the soil.

The Regional Nature Reserve of Salse di Nirano is part of the Via dei Vulcani di Fango (mud volcano street).

Opening times for Visitors’ Centre and Eco-museum: Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday, on other days with prior booking.

Fiorano race track

Address: Via Gilles Villeneuve 23 – 41042 Fiorano Modenese

Opening times: no entry to the public unless with a shuttle bus tour by booking through the Ferrari Maranello Museum https://musei.ferrari.com/it/maranello/tour.

The race track is partially visible from the outside – entrance.

Mini racetrack

Address: Via Antica Cava 2 - 41042 Fiorano Modenese (MO)

Parking: public parking and private parking for over 150 vehicles

Information and bookings: Tel. and Fax 0536 843088

http://www.minicarfiorano.it; gesualdi@minicarfiorano.it