Estense Castle: Attraction informations

The Estense Castle of Ferrara was built as a defensive structure rather than a home for the family.

After a bloodshed battle that took place in Ferrara in 1385, Niccolò II decided to build a defensive building: he therefore ordered the construction of the castle with a surrounding profound moat, currently still full of water.

To reach the castle as quick as possible, an overhead passage was built, connecting the castle to the near Palazzo Ducale. Through this passage, the family could easily reach the castle for protection the minute after the first signs of danger arrived.

The 4 corners of the castle are protected by 4 towers: Marchesana, Torre di San Paolo, Santa Caterina and the famous Torre dei Leoni. The name for the latter comes from the presence of a bas-relief embedded inside the walls, decorated with 2 lions and the words “Wor Bas”, which mean “always ahead” in the language of the Langobards.

Once the conflicts and battles, especially under the government of Ercole I, were over, the castle became the official residence of the family. Decorations in marble, an honor courtyard and rich frescos were some of the embellishments that transformed the rooms in unique treasures. 

To architect Girolamo da Carpi we owe the Giardino degli Aranci, built in 1554, and a garden reserved solely for the ladies of the court. The authors of its magnificent frescoes are the very well-known artists Piero Della Francesca, Bastianino and probably Dosso Dossi.

The internal courtyard got his current shape during the 15th century, and is decorated on one side by a loggia with 8 arches. The different monumental spaces that can be apprised from here comprise the 16th century kitchens. 

The tragic story of Ugo and the Parisienne

The castle has also several prisons, and one of its cells witnessed what may well be the bloodiest story of the entire Estense family.

The cruel episode happened during the lordship of Niccolò III who, once a widow, organized his wedding with a young noble lady of the family Malatesta di Rimini, Laura, called “Parisina”. Niccolò III, already an old man, was proud of having not only a wife but several lovers as well.

With one of the latter, Stella de’ Tolomei, he had three illegitimate sons, who of course hated the new bride as she had taken away from their mother the possibility of becoming rightful heirs.

Ugo, firstborn of the duke’s lover, deeply hated the Parisina. The poor woman, in an attempt to resolve the situation she had unwittingly created, gave Ugo, who was fond of music, a harp as a present. Niccolò III, happy to see them both reunite, suggested the son to accompany his wife on a pilgrimage.

During the pilgrimage, the unavoidable happened: son and stepmother, of the same age, hopelessly fell in love. Once back in Ferrara they tried to hide their secret love, but the court was too small to protect the lovers. In very little time, the gossip reached the duke’s ears.

Niccolò imprisoned both in the castle and in just a few days ordered their deaths. It is said that the soul of the lovers still wanders through the castle dungeons in search of their lost happiness.

Their tragic story, similar to the famous Paolo e Francesca, inspired many artists, like the poet Lord Byron who composed a poem called “Parisina”.

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