Estense Ducal Garden, Palazzina Vigarani and Botanical Garden (Giardino Ducale Estense, Palazzina Vigarani e Orto Botanico)

The elegant building built as a scenic backdrop to the ducal garden was created in the first half of the 17th century. Designed by Gaspare Vigarani, perhaps reworking ideas by Girolamo Rainaldi, it was modified in the 18th and 19th centuries, assuming its current greenhouse shape. Restored after years of decay, it is now an exhibition venue connected to the Civic Gallery of Modena.

Modena’s botanical garden occupies part of the old ducal garden. In 1758, following the establishment of a university chair in botany, the first garden for the cultivation of medicinal herbs was planted, to which the greenhouse was added in 1765. The current building was created in 1838 by connecting two earlier greenhouses.