Church of Saint Romanus (Chiesa di San Romano)

The former church of San Romano, documented since 990 as a parish church, stands not far from the Cathedral of Ferrara. It was first the seat of Benedictine monks of the Fruttuaria abbey and later of the regular canons of San Agostino.

The single nave plan and the lower portion of the walls survive from the original construction, with the spiral frieze of the apse; the lunette with the bas-relief of San Romano on horseback, reassembled in the portal, probably dates back to the 13th century. The adjacent cloister is likely to have been built around the year 1000 (some capitals seem to relate to the first phase), but also profoundly transformed over the centuries. The ancient pavement still exists and is located about 1.50 metres below the current level.

In 1230, San Romano was given in commenda to the Este family, who radically renovated the church in 1287. In 1407, the Este family decreed a new, profound restructuring that gave the church the striking features that can still be seen today: the cross vaults that cover the building, the terracotta arches that mark the façade and sides (although much restored), the crowning cornices, also made of terracotta, among which the decoration with antique-style shells stands out. Since 2000, it has housed the Cathedral Museum.