3 Best Sights in Modena, Emilia–Romagna

Begun by the architect Lanfranco in 1099 and consecrated in 1184, the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral has sculptured facade reliefs by Wiligelmo depicting scenes from Genesis. Look over the main portal to enter a medieval world of intricately carved plant shoots teeming with human, heavenly and demonic life, flanked by two column-bearing Roman lions. Walk around to the Piazza Grande side to see graceful arcading and loggias, a rare example of a cathedral having various aspects and four grand entrances. The interior, completely clad in brick, creates a sober ambience and is filled with intricate stonework by generations of the Maestri Campionesi. The tomb of San Geminiano, Modena's patron saint  is in the crypt. The white-marble bell tower is known as La Torre Ghirlandina (the Little Garland Tower) because of its distinctive weather vane.

Modena's principal museum, housed in the Palazzo dei Musei and located just a short walk from the Duomo, has an impressive collection assembled in the mid-17th century by Francesco d'Este (1610–58), Duke of Modena. The Galleria Estense is named in his honor and contains masterpieces by Bernini, Correggio, El Greco, Tintoretto, Velázquez, Veronese, and Salvator Rosa among others. The Biblioteca Estense here is a huge collection of illuminated manuscripts, of which the best known is the beautifully illustrated Bible of Borso d'Este (1455–61). 

Locals and visitors flock to this fruit, vegetable, meat, and fish market with good reason. Ingredients are of the finest and of the freshest, and visually the place is a glorious sight to behold. It's been around in this current incarnation since 1931, and it's pretty easy to see why.