Points of interest

Ducal Palace of Sassuolo

The Ducal Palace, also known as the “Delight of the Duke of Este”, is an incredibly fine example of baroque residence in northern Italy. Its current appearance dates back to 1634, when Duke Francesco I d’Este commissioned the best artists of the time, like Bartolomeo Avanzini and Gaspare Vigarani, to turn the ancient castle into a prestigious ducal residence. The palace was sumptuously decorated, both on the inside and on the outside, by renowned artists such as Jean Boulanger, Angelo Michele Colonna and Agostino Mitelli.
The Ducal Palace was also famous for its park and Italian gardens. The Ducal Park is nowadays the largest green public area of Sassuolo, but it is far smaller than it was in the 18th century, when it extended for more than 12 km. On the southern side of the Ducal Palace, instead, you can find the monumental Peschiera or “Fontanazzo”, designed by Bartolomeo Avanzini and Gaspare Vigarani, a unique brick structure covered in calcareous rock that was used as a fish tank and as an aquatic theatre, and the Cavallerizza Ducale, which hosted the stables and the lodgings of the “Dragoni Ducali” (i.e. “soldiers”) that followed the House of Este.
Today, the Ducal Palace hosts “Amid Court and Factory: the history of Sassuolo’s ceramics”, a free exhibition, promoted by Ceramiche Marca Corona and Gallerie Estensi, displaying over 250 unique ceramic pieces that represent the majolica production in Sassuolo from the 18th to the 20th Century.

The old town

Piazza Garibaldi, also known as “Small Square”, is the old town centre and it dates back to the 16th Century, commissioned by Alessandro Pio. In 1676, Francesco II d’Este commissioned the ducal architect Antonio Loraghi to build the Town Tower, that locals call “Campanone” (“Big Bell”). The current aspect of Piazza Garibaldi, with porticoes and two small canals, was realised by the ducal architect Pietro Bezzi in 1775.
In Piazza Martiri Partigiani, also called “Big Square”, stands the Cathedral of St. George, patron of Sassuolo. This ancient church, a rare example of Late Baroque style, dates back to the 14th century.
In Piazzale della Rosa, which owes its name to the city’s first noble family, is located the Church of St. Francis, designed by the architect Bartolomeo Avanzini, and built by Francesco d’Este in the 17th century. The church houses the Santo Tronco, the remains of Christ’s wooden crucifix, cherished by Sassuolo’s citizens and carried in procession every Maundy Thursday.

Montegibbio Castle and Municipal Balsamic Vinegar Production

The first fortifications of the Castle of Montegibbio, built on the hills surrounding Sassuolo to defend the lands of the Canossa family, date back to the 10th century; after many changes of ownership, in 1375 the castle became the Este dynasty’s property for the first time. Numerous handovers followed until 1851, when it became the summer residence of the noble Borsari family. The fortress is surrounded by the park of Montegibbio: a romantic English-style garden which extends for approximately 30 hectares. In 1972 the Castle of Montegibbio became property of the Municipality of Sassuolo, which established in its courtyard the Municipal Balsamic Vinegar production in 2003.

Secchia Nature Itinerary
Close to the Ducal Park, in Via dei Moli, it is possible to access the Secchia Nature Itinerary: a walking and cycling route alongside the Secchia River that offers the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities, such as walking, running or cycling, while discovering the natural charm of the river environment.

Salvarola thermal baths
The ancient Salvarola thermal baths are located on the hills surrounding Sassuolo, at a distance of approximately 3 km from Sassuolo. Its healing waters, renowned since the Roman age, were even used by Matilde di Canossa and the Este family. Dating back to 1908, this Art Nouveau Spa offers a wide range of thermal health treatments thanks to its wellness and beauty centre.