Best of European Union » villanovans http://www.best-of-european-union.eu Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Modena – the capital of engines, Italy http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2010/08/26/modena-the-capital-of-engines-italy/ http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2010/08/26/modena-the-capital-of-engines-italy/#comments Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:29:14 +0000 Julius http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/?p=985 The city of Modena can be found in the southern end of the Po River valley. While the history of the town goes back to the prehistoric era, it is mostly known as the home of the finest Italian sports cars. The Ferrari 360 Modena and the color Modena Yellow is named after the town. […]

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]]> The city of Modena can be found in the southern end of the Po River valley. While the history of the town goes back to the prehistoric era, it is mostly known as the home of the finest Italian sports cars. The Ferrari 360 Modena and the color Modena Yellow is named after the town.

In the city of Modena you will find the factories for all of the top sports cars in Italy. The Ferrari and Lamborghini are the most notable of these manufacturers. But the town is also home to De Tomaso, Maserati and Pagani. The corporate headquarters of all but Lamborghini are also located in Modena.

Palazzo Comunale e Duomo, Modena, Italy
Palazzo Comunale e Duomo, Modena, Italy by Hierakares

The first inhabitants of Modena were the Villanovans. They would be followed by the Ligurian tribes as well as the Etruscans. While the exact date that Modena was founded is not known, the existence of the town has been known since the 3rd century B.C. The Gaulish Boii were known to have revolted against Hannibal shortly after his invasion of Italy.

In 183 B.C., the area would be re-founded and called Mutina. It was at first used as a military stronghold and as a result, was sacked by the Ligurians in 177 B.C. then rebuilt once again.

Today the largest military academy in Italy can be found in Modena at the Baroque Ducal Palace; most officers in the Italian service are trained at the palace. The nearby University of Modena which is also a popular university in the nation dates back to 1175.

There are many different museums located throughout the city of Modena. However, perhaps the most popular of these are those which house the collections of the finest and most exotic sports cars that the world has ever known. There is also a museum which is dedicated to the many fine archeological finds in the area surrounding Modena.

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