
Palazzo
Ducale
SERVICES FOR VISITORS
LIFT – AUDIOGUIDE

TIMES
- Giorni di apertura
Da martedì a domenica - Orario di apertura
da martedì a sabato 8.30 – 19.30 - Orari di apertura
domenica e festivi 10.00 – 18.00 - Chiusura 1 gennaio, 25 dicembre
- Aperture straordinarie Festivalfilosofia
- Opening days
from March 24th to December 31st, 2023 - Opening hours
from Tuesday to Sunday (including midweek holidays) 10.00 – 18.00 - Last admission one hour before closing
- Closure
December 25th and January 1st, 2024
TIMES
- Giorni di apertura
Da martedì a domenica - Orario di apertura
da martedì a sabato 8.30 – 19.30 - Orari di apertura
domenica e festivi 10.00 – 18.00 - Chiusura 1 gennaio, 25 dicembre
- Aperture straordinarie Festivalfilosofia
TIMES
- Giorni di apertura
Da martedì a domenica - Orario di apertura
da martedì a sabato 8.30 – 19.30 - Orari di apertura
domenica e festivi 10.00 – 18.00 - Chiusura 1 gennaio, 25 dicembre
- Aperture straordinarie Festivalfilosofia

“One of the most important Baroque residences in northern Italy”
The story of the Palazzo goes back in time, probably dating back to the time of Matilde of Tuscany. During the thirteenth century, it was recorded as part of the Della Rosa kingdom until the Este conquest of 1373. It was the Marquis (and later Duke) of Ferrara himself, Borso d’Este, who initiated the works to convert the Palazzo from a fortified manor into a court residence which included the frescoes by Agnolo and Bartolomeo degli Erri, now lost. For the whole of the sixteenth century the building was in the possession of the Pio di Carpi family with work carried out by artists such as Nicolò dell’Abate (in the lost Appartamento di Orlando) and Domenico Carnevali (whose frescoes in the Camera della Cancelleria only survive in fragments). The castle eventually returned once again into the Este’s possession and became a strategic seat for Francesco I d’Este’s new approach to politics. After the House of Este moved its capital from Ferrara to Modena, Francesco I converted the residence in Sassuolo into a Baroque palace whilst simultaneously transforming the Este castle in Modena into the colossal urban Palazzo Ducale. Under the team of artists gathered by the Duke, the Palazzo’s environment was transformed and re-orientated towards natural light and views of the foothills: the corner towers were made into panoramic terraces; the courtyard became a theatrical space populated with a gigantic river god designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Antonio Raggi; and an arcade of three staggered archways gave the illusion of symmetry on the building’s new Baroque façade, opening it up towards the town. Bartolomeo Avanzini and scenographer Gaspare Vigarani designed bizarre creations such as the fish pond (the “Fontanazzo” adjacent to the piazza) whilst sculptors and plasterers such as Lattanzio Maschio, Luca Colombi and Giovanni Lazzoni worked to produce sculptures for the atrium, Scalone d’Onore and Appartamento Stuccato.
Getting here
The Ducal Palace of Sassuolo is located in Piazzale Della Rosa in the heart of the historic centre of Sassuolo.
Piazzale della Rosa, 10
41049 Sassuolo (MO)
Italiatel. 0536801655
15 minutes from the Railway Station and a stone’s throw from the central Piazza Garibaldi.
By train
From Modena (FS central Railway Station) and from Reggio Emilia (FS central Railway Station). For more information phone F.E.R (Ferrovie Emilia Romagna) on 840151152.
By bus
Connections from Modena and Reggio Emilia are guaranteed by public transport which makes multiple journeys throughout the day. For more information phone S.E.T.A (Società Emiliana Trasporti Autofiloviari) on 840 000 216.
By car
Exit the A1 motorway at ‘Modena Nord’ taking the bypass to then follow signposting for Sassuolo.
Recommended Parking
Piazza Martiri Partigiani and Piazza Libertà (except Tuesday and Friday mornings due to market days and Sundays in October).
In the station area in Reggio Emilia, Via Radici in Monte.
In the station area in Modena, Via Radici in Piano.
Opening days
from March 24th to December 31st, 2023
Opening hours
from Tuesday to Sunday (including midweek holidays) 10.00 – 18.00
Last admission one hour before closing
Closure
December 25th and January 1st, 2024
Until March 23, 2023, the Ducal Palace of Sassuolo observes the opening procedures for the winter season, with admission by reservation only. Groups must make a reservation through the ticket office of the Ducal Palace (389 2673365) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the maximum group size allowed is 25 people.
The Palace will open to the public starting from March 24th
Openings on holiday Mondays and Tuesdays:
•Easter Monday: Monday, April 10th (closed on Tuesday, April 11th)
•Liberation Day: open on Monday, April 24th and Tuesday, April 25th (closed on Wednesday, April 26th)
•Labor Day: open on Monday, May 1st (closed on Tuesday, May 2nd)
•Assumption of Mary: open on Monday, August 14th and Tuesday, August 15th (closed on Wednesday, August 16th)
•St. Stephen’s Day: open on Tuesday, December 26th
Regular opening holidays:
•Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 9th
•Republic Day: Friday, June 2nd
•All Saints’ Day: Wednesday, November 1st
•Immaculate Conception: Friday, December 8th
•Epiphany: Saturday, January 6th, 2024
Last admission one hour before closing time.
The ‘Palazzo Ducale di Sassuolo’ app, offering different audio itineraries, is available for both Apple devices (download from the App Store) and Android devices (download from Google Play); visitors without earphones can purchase them for 1 euro in the Ducal Palace’s ticket office.
Tickets for the Ducal Palace can be purchased online: click here
CONTACT
The Ducal Palace’s ticket office, tel.389 2673365
TICKETS
- Regular – 6 € (from 2 January 2023 the price will be increased to 8 €)
- Reduced Young (till 25 years old) – 2 €
- Reduced FAI – 5 €
- Reduced Coop Alleanza 3.0 partner – 4 €
- Combined Galleria Estense and Palazzo Ducale di Sassuolo – 10 €
Entrance to museums, monuments, galleries and archaeological areas of the State is free for all citizens of the European Union, under the age of 18.
Click here to learn about all other cases of reductions or free entries
ACCESSIBILITY
Access for visitors with mobility issues is provided via a lift that stops on the first floor. The main floor itinerary is entirely accessible, facilitated by front-of-house staff. There is an accessible toilet next to the lift.

APP
The iPhone app to the Official Palace of Sassuolo is available on the iTunes Store and Google Play.
The app, as well as providing useful information on opening hours and tickets, is designed to introduce you to highlights of the museum using iBeacon technology. The app will lead you through the palace’s rooms, offering different content depending on where you are located.
