Where every street echoes with horsepower and every meal tastes exquisite
Shereen Shabnam
There are few places on Earth where you can feel a city’s heartbeat in the roar of a V12 engine, but Modena, nestled in the heart of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, is one of them. For an automotive journalist like myself, and anyone who considers cars an extension of art, emotion, and engineering, Modena isn’t just a destination. It’s a pilgrimage. My visits to Modena offers me the ultimate automotive escape.
Modena is the hometown of Enzo Ferrari, and that alone places it firmly on the global motoring map. But the city doesn’t rest on its laurels. It cradles some of the most iconic marques in automotive history, Ferrari, Maserati, and Pagani – all within a short drive from each other. Each brand represents a different personality of Italian automotive mastery, yet all share the DNA of Modena’s precision, flair, and obsession with speed.
For motoring journalists like myself and enthusiasts alike, few experiences compare to walking through the Museo Enzo Ferrari, where the story of Il Commendatore unfolds in an immersive tribute. Housed within his father’s former workshop, the museum is a masterful blend of storytelling, architecture, and, of course, breathtaking cars. The yellow domed building, a nod to Ferrari’s iconic logo, showcases vintage and modern masterpieces in cinematic style.
Modena is also the crown jewel of Italy’s Motor Valley, and the driving experiences here are second to none. Whether it’s test-driving a Ferrari at the nearby Maranello track, exploring the Maserati showroom in central Modena, or arranging a private visit to Horacio Pagani’s hypercar sanctuary in San Cesario sul Panaro, the opportunities are endless. My track experiences here are etched in my memory bank as treasures that will be nurtured forever.
As a motoring journalist, what struck me most was the passion and the pride that everyone from mechanics to curators share when they speak about cars. In Modena, automobiles aren’t just machines. They are expressions of identity, craftsmanship, and speed.
While Modena accelerates the heart, it also nourishes the soul. It’s a gastronomic haven, home to three-Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana, consistently ranked among the world’s best restaurants. After a morning among carbon fiber and roaring engines, a Modenese lunch of tagliatelle al ragù and aged balsamic vinegar from local acetaia is the perfect counterpoint.
Wander its cobbled streets, and Modena reveals its quieter treasures – Piazza Grande, the 12th-century Modena Cathedral, and artisanal boutiques that still handcraft leather driving gloves and bespoke shoes. It is a town where time slows down, just enough for you to savor every detail.
While this destination is ideal for anyone whose pulse quickens at the sound of a revving engine, Modena is more than a stop on the map. It is the epicenter of everything we love about cars. It is where legacy, innovation, and style collide. Where you can dine like royalty, drive like a racer, and dream like Enzo himself.
As someone who lives and breathes the automotive world, I found Modena to be not just inspiring, but grounding. It reminded me why I fell in love with motoring in the first place. Whether you are a fellow journalist, a collector, or simply a fan of beautifully made machines, Modena encourages you not just to look, but to feel.
