Istituted in 1854 by Francesco V of Austria Este and placed since 1894 in the current seat of the Palazzo dei Musei, the Galleria Estense includes four large halls and sixteen small exhibition rooms dedicated to the substantial artistic heritage accumulated by the Dukes of Este since the glorious years of the Ferrara lordship.
Oriented towards an aristocratic collecting with many interests, the Estense collections include the rich picture gallery, which contains a valuable number of paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries, among which is a group dedicated to Padan painting, several marble and terracotta sculptures.
A large core of applied art objects that were part of the sumptuous ducal wardrobe, as well as several specific collections such as drawings, small bronzes, majolica, medals, ivories, and musical instruments. Among the most important works are The Pietà by Cima da Conegliano, the Madonna and Child by Correggio, the Portrait of Francesco I d’Este by Velazquez, the Triptych by El Greco, the marble bust of Francesco I d’Este by Bernini and the Crucifix by Guido Reni.
Galleria Estense Opening Hours
Tuesday to Saturday: 8.30 – 19.00 Sunday: 14.00 – 19.00 Monday: 8.30 – 14.00 First Sunday of each month: 8.30 – 19.00, with free admission. Monday March 28 and Monday April 25: 14.00-19.00.
