Ferrara

The origin of Ferrara is uncertain, it was probably settled by the inhabitants of the lagoons at the mouth of the Po River there are two early centers of settlement, one round the cathedral, the other,
the castrum bizantino, being the San Pietro district, on the opposite shore, where the Primaro empties into the Volano channel.

The town is surrounded by ancient walls, and its main sites include the Castello Estense, the most iconic building in Ferrara, built during the 14th and 16th centuries; the ancient city, which was renovated during the 18th century; the cathedral of St George; the university, not far off, with its library and various faculties of architecture, medecine, law, farmacy and natural science (it is also where Nicolaus Copernicus graduated); Many Renaissance palaces, among which you will find the
Palazzo dei Diamanti.

The city has played an important part in the history of Italy. Indeed Ferrara is where the notorious Dominican monk who took hold of Florence in the late 15th century, Giralomo Savonarola, was born. Many of the country's most celebrated painters, such as Titian, Pierro della Francesca, and Giovanni Bellini, also formed the “School of Ferrara” under the patronage of the Este family. If you're in Ferrara at the right time, the Palio of St. George is a typical medieval festival held every last Sunday of May. The Buskers Festival is a non-competitive parade of the best street musicians in kind. Additionally, Ferrara is becoming the Italian capital of hot air balloons, thanks to the ten-day- long Ferrara Balloons Festival, the biggest celebration of balloons in Italy and one of the largest in Europe.