# Modena

> Italian city and municipality

**Wikidata**: [Q279](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q279)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modena)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/modena

## Summary

Modena is an Italian city and municipality in the Emilia-Romagna region, serving as the capital of the Province of Modena. With a population of approximately 184,153 residents (as of 2023) and an area of 183.19 km², Modena is a major cultural, economic, and automotive hub in northern Italy, historically known as Mutina in ancient Roman times and once the capital of the Duchy of Modena and Reggio.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Province of Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; coordinates 44.64582°N, 10.92572°E
- **Area**: 183.19 km² (as of October 9, 2011)
- **Population**: 184,153 (preferred, as of January 1, 2023); 185,273 (January 1, 2018); 184,960 (June 30, 2016)
- **Elevation**: 34 meters above sea level
- **Timezone**: UTC+01:00 (standard time); UTC+02:00 (daylight saving time)
- **Postal codes**: 41121–41126
- **License plate code**: MO
- **Local dialing code**: 059
- **Demonym**: modenesi (masculine plural)
- **Patron saint**: Geminianus
- **Classification**: city, comune of Italy, big city (population ≥100,000)
- **Historical name**: Mutina (ancient Roman name)
- **Member of**: Climate Alliance since 2003
- **Awards**: Gold Medal of Military Valour
- **Seismic classification**: 3

## FAQs

**What is Modena historically known as?**
Modena was known as Mutina in ancient Roman times, and the Siege of Mutina is a significant historical event associated with the city.

**What administrative regions is Modena the capital of?**
Modena is the capital of the Province of Modena, the former Duchy of Modena and Reggio, and the historical Panaro Department.

**What notable automotive companies are based in Modena?**
Modena is home to several automotive manufacturers including Maserati (headquarters), Auto Avio Costruzioni (founded 1939), Automobili Stanguellini (founded 1900), De Tomaso (1959–2019), and Energica Motor Company (founded 2014), a manufacturer of electric motorcycles.

**What cultural institutions are located in Modena?**
Modena houses the Biblioteca Estense Universitaria (historic library), Galleria Estense (art museum, founded 1884), Modena Cathedral (founded 1050), Teatro Comunale di Modena (opera house, founded 1850), and the Museo Enzo Ferrari (automobile museum).

**What sports teams and venues are in Modena?**
Notable sports organizations include Modena F.C. (football club, founded 1912), Modena Volley (professional volleyball team, founded 1966), and venues such as Stadio Alberto Braglia (football stadium, founded 1936) and PalaPanini (indoor sports venue, founded 1985).

**What is Modena's relationship with twinned cities?**
Modena is twinned with Almaty, Benxi, Londrina, Novi Sad (since 1974), Saint Paul, Bella, and Linz (since June 3, 1992).

**What significant restaurants or food-related businesses are in Modena?**
Osteria Francescana is a renowned restaurant in Modena founded in 1995, and the Panini Group (Italian publishing house, founded 1961, 705 employees) is also based there.

**What is Modena's connection to the Panini Group?**
The Panini Group, an Italian publishing house founded in 1961 and headquartered in Modena, employs 705 people and operates in the publishing industry; it also includes Panini Comics (founded 1994).

## Why It Matters

Modena holds significant importance across multiple domains. As a historic automotive capital, it has been home to legendary car manufacturers including Maserati, Ferrari (through Auto Avio Costruzioni's connection), De Tomaso, and Stanguellini, establishing its reputation as a cornerstone of Italian automotive engineering and motorsport heritage. The city's Museo Enzo Ferrari and the Modena Grand Prix (held since 1927) further cement this automotive legacy.

Beyond industry, Modena serves as a cultural beacon of Emilia-Romagna, housing the Biblioteca Estense Universitaria with its precious manuscript collections, the Galleria Estense art museum, and the Romanesque Modena Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate), which dates to 1050. The city's culinary reputation, exemplified by the three-Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana, positions it as a destination for gastronomic tourism.

Modena's strategic importance is reflected in its administrative role as the provincial capital and its historical significance as the seat of the Duchy of Modena and Reggio from 1452. The city's membership in Climate Alliance since 2003 demonstrates its commitment to environmental sustainability, while its diverse economy spanning automotive manufacturing, publishing (Panini Group), banking (BPER Banca, founded 1867), and agriculture makes it a vital economic center in northern Italy.

## Notable For

- Home to Maserati headquarters and multiple historic automobile manufacturers
- Birthplace of the Panini publishing empire and sticker collectibles
- Location of Osteria Francescana, one of the world's top restaurants
- Historic library system (Biblioteca Estense Universitaria) with significant manuscript holdings
- Annual Modena Grand Prix motor race since 1927
- Host city for Internazionali di Modena women's tennis tournament since 2005
- Military Academy of Modena (founded November 2, 1815)
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Modena-Nonantola seat
- Gold Medal of Military Valour recipient
- Location of the Ducal Palace of Modena (founded 1650)
- Headquarters of BPER Banca, a major Italian banking group
- Producer of Energica electric motorcycles since 2014

## Body

### Geography and Administration

Modena is situated in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, serving as the capital of the Province of Modena. The city covers an area of 183.19 square kilometers at an elevation of 34 meters above sea level, with coordinates placing it at 44.64582°N latitude and 10.92572°E longitude. The municipality operates on Central European Time (UTC+01:00) with daylight saving time observed (UTC+02:00).

The administrative structure includes Modena as a comune (municipality) of Italy, classified as a large human settlement and a big city with a population exceeding 100,000 residents. As of January 1, 2023, the population stood at 184,153 residents. The city uses postal codes 41121–41126, license plate code MO, and local dialing code 059.

Modena shares its borders with multiple municipalities: Bastiglia, Bomporto, Campogalliano, Casalgrande, Castelfranco Emilia, Castelnuovo Rangone, Nonantola, San Cesario sul Panaro, Soliera, Spilamberto, Formigine, and Rubiera. The city is further organized into various districts and neighborhoods including Albareto, Baggiovara, Ganaceto, Marzaglia, Navicello, Paganine, Panni, Portile, San Donnino, San Martino di Mugnano, and Villanova.

### Historical Background

The city's ancient name was Mutina, which appears in multiple historical encyclopedic sources including the Russian translation of Lübker's Antiquity Lexicon and the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary. The Siege of Mutina represents a significant historical event in the city's past.

Modena served as the capital of several historical entities: the Duchy of Modena and Reggio (established in 1452), the Panaro Department (during the Napoleonic period), and continues to serve as the provincial capital. The Duchy of Modena and Reggio existed as a sovereign state until the unification of Italy.

The city was part of the Kingdom of Italy (proclaimed March 17, 1861) and later the Italian Republic (established June 18, 1946 following the constitutional referendum). Modena received the Gold Medal of Military Valour in recognition of its wartime contributions.

### Automotive and Industrial Heritage

Modena's association with the automotive industry is paramount. Maserati, the Italian luxury car manufacturer, maintains its headquarters in Modena (founded December 1, 1914). Auto Avio Costruzioni, established in 1939, was an automobile manufacturer that produced vehicles in the city. Automobili Stanguellini, founded in 1900, operated as an automobile manufacturer in Modena. De Tomaso, another notable Italian car manufacturer, was headquartered in Modena from 1959 to 2019.

The Energica Motor Company, founded in 2014, represents Modena's entry into electric vehicle manufacturing, producing electric motorcycles from its Modena headquarters. The Modena Grand Prix, a motor car race, has been held in the city since 1927.

Beyond automotive manufacturing, Modena hosts significant industrial operations including the Panini Group (Italian publishing house, founded 1961, 705 employees), BPER Banca (Italian banking group, founded 1867), and Officine Padane (founded 1943). Carrozzeria Autodromo Modena was a defunct Italian bus manufacturer operating from 1949.

### Cultural Institutions and Architecture

Modena boasts numerous cultural institutions. The Biblioteca Estense Universitaria is a historic library in Italy, while the Galleria Estense is an art museum founded in 1884, employing between 40 and 56 people. The Museo Enzo Ferrari is an automobile museum in the city, and the Museo Panini Maserati is another automotive museum located in Modena.

Religious architecture includes the Modena Cathedral (Cathedral of Modena), a cathedral founded in 1050 and dedicated to Saint Geminianus (the patron saint). The Synagogue of Modena, founded in 1850, represents the city's Jewish heritage. Other notable churches include the Church of San Francesco (founded 1244, rebuilt 1550), Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pomposa (founded 1750), Chiesa del Voto (founded 1650), and San Pietro Church (founded 1450).

The Ducal Palace of Modena, built in 1650, serves as a historic building and former residence of the ducal court. The Teatro Comunale di Modena is an opera house founded in 1850. Piazza Grande is the main town square, dating to approximately 1150.

### Sports and Recreation

Sports play a significant role in Modena's identity. Modena F.C. is an association football club founded in 1912, playing at Stadio Alberto Braglia (football stadium founded in 1936). Modena Volley and Volley Modena are professional volleyball teams, with the latter founded in 1966 and the former in 1959. PalaPanini is an indoor sports venue founded in 1985 that hosts volleyball matches.

The city has hosted the Internazionali di Modena women's tennis tournament since 2005. The Modena trolleybus network provides electric transit service throughout the city.

### Education and Military

The Military Academy of Modena (Accademia Militare di Modena) is an Italian military school founded on November 2, 1815, training officers for the Italian Army. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Modena-Nonantola has its seat in the city (established August 22, 1855).

### Publishing and Media

The Panini Group, headquartered in Modena, is a major Italian publishing house founded in 1961 with 705 employees. Panini Comics, a comic publishing company, was established in 1994 and operates as a subsidiary. The city has connections to musical groups including the Modena City Ramblers (folk band, founded 1991), Trick or Treat (power metal band, founded 2002), and Equipe 84 (Beat band formed in 1964).

### International Relations

Modena maintains twin city relationships with several global cities: Almaty (Kazakhstan), Benxi (China), Londrina (Brazil), Novi Sad (Serbia, since 1974), Saint Paul (Minnesota, USA), Bella (France), and Linz (Austria, since June 3, 1992).

### Identification Codes and References

The city holds numerous identification codes across international databases: ISNI 0000000121569640, VIAF ID 130110243, GND ID 4115170-7, GeoNames ID 6541461, OpenStreetMap node ID 69300003, OpenStreetMap relation ID 43336, ISTAT code 036023, postal code 41121–41126, and Italian cadastre code F257. The city appears in 117 Wikipedia language editions, demonstrating its international recognition and documentation.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](https://novisad.rs/eng/links)
3. [Source](https://www.linz.at/politik/6320.php)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. BnF authorities
6. CiNii Research
7. [Source](http://www.klimabuendnis.org/nc/kommunen/das-netzwerk.html)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Czech National Authority Database
10. MusicBrainz
11. [Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/bilmens2016gen/index02.html)
12. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
13. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2017. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2017/index3.html)
14. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
15. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
16. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia
17. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
18. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
19. Seismic classification in Italy
20. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)
21. museum-digital