The Enzo Ferrari Museum, Modena
Visiting the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena is just one part of Emilia-Romagna’s Motor Valley, which also includes the Ferrari Museum at Maranello.
Jump to practical info for visiting the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena
In the vast stadium of fluorescent light, the cars look like glowing orbs of style. Raised on low platforms, each machine is given a respectful space from the others.
Despite the name, this is not just a museum. This is more a shrine… and everything is set up to allow visitors to worship.
For car enthusiasts (I’m not going to pretend to be a huge one), Ferrari is one of the gods.
Like religion generally, there are many faiths – but devotees of each believe fervently in theirs. It is no different with cars, and Ferrari has one of the largest and most faithful congregations in the world.
What is the Enzo Ferrari Museum?
The Enzo Ferrari Museum in the Italian city of Modena is built on the site of the man’s birthplace. But it is only partly about Enzo Ferrari and his life.
You see, his life became the car brand (not just in name) and the story transcends the years of one human.
The museum is also about the machines he helped create and, although not stated as such, the cult that surrounds them.
It is appropriate, then, that the museum is split physically into two sections that separate the man from the machines.
In the old brown brick building, you can find out more about Enzo and his career.
Directly adjacent, in the enormous and modern construction made of yellow and glass, the cars are displayed.
Architecturally, it is superb. From above, it resembles the bonnet of a car and exudes the sense of style and technology the Ferrari brand is famous for.
Inside it feels like the space is wasted – that there’s a whole lot of nothingness there.
But isn’t that what luxury is all about? Ferrari doesn’t need to be penurious with the layout… and that in itself says a lot.
Once or twice a year the displays in the museum are changed. The cars in these photos are from one particular exhibition that honours the origins of Enzo Ferrari and shows his work and his influences.
Where is the Enzo Ferrari Museum?
The official address of the Enzo Ferrari Museum is Via Paolo Ferrari 85, 41121, Modena.
How do you get to the Enzo Ferrari Museum?
It is very easy to get to the Enzo Ferrari Museum by public transport. The museum is just five minutes walk from Modena’s main train station.
If you are driving, there is parking at rear at Via Giuseppe Soli 101.
When is the Enzo Ferrari Museum open?
The Enzo Ferrari Museum is open from November to March every day from 09:30 – 18:00.
It is open from April to November every day from 09:30 – 19:00.
The Enzo Ferrari Museum is closed 25 December and 1 January.
How much does it cost to visit the Enzo Ferrari Museum?
The entrance fee for the Enzo Ferrari Museum is €17 for an adult, €15 for a concession, and €7 for a child aged 18 – 5.
You can also get a combined ticket for both Ferrari museums for €24 for an adult and €10 for a child.
More information
You can find out more information at the official website for the Enzo Ferrari Museum.
The life of Enzo Ferrari
It’s not just Ferrari cars that Enzo Ferrari was involved in.
The man who would eventually give his name to one of the most famous brands in the world has always been intertwined with others.
Enzo Ferrari worked for many years for Alfa Romeo as a mechanic and driver. Before his death in 1988, he had also started to sell large chunks of his company to Fiat.
The man was all about cars – but that doesn’t mean his creation was not all about him.
“I am the one who dreamt of being Ferrari”, he once said.
Perhaps more poignant was his other famous quote: “Cars are only beautiful when they win”.
Which Ferrari museum is better?
As I’ve mentioned, the Enzo Ferrari Museum focuses on the life of the man behind the brand. But it’s not the only museum about Ferrari in Emilia-Romagna’s Motor Valley.
There is also the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, about 20 kilometres away. This one focuses much more on the cars themselves.
So, at the Maranello Ferrari Museum, you’ll find a lot of technical information about the engineering of the cars, including examples of the evolution of the engine.
There is also a big emphasis on the racing side of Ferrari’s story, with Formula One cars and stories about the top drivers, like Michael Schumacher.
If you are trying to decide which Ferrari museum to visit and you’re wondering which Ferrari museum is better – the short answer is, whichever you are more interested in.
If it’s the racing and the engineering side of the car company, then I would suggest the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. If it’s the history and the personality behind the brand, then the Enzo Ferrari Museum would be more suitable.
The Ferrari Museum is in Maranello, about 20 kilometres from the Enzo Ferrari Museum. There is a shuttle bus that runs between the two Ferrari museums.
The official address is Via Dino Ferrari 43, 41053, Maranello. You can see it on a map here.
The entrance for the Ferrari Museum in Maranello is €17 for an adult, €15 for a concession, and €7 for a child. But you can buy a combined ticket for both museums that is €24 for an adult and €10 for a child.
You can find out more information at the Ferrari Museum official website.
The other option is to do a tour that will do a combination of Ferrari attractions, as well as some other highlights of the region – particularly the food. It’s a great way to pack a lot into a limited time!
There is this great Ferrari and food tour that leaves from Bologna, if you’re staying in the area.
Or there are some other options if you’re are coming here just for the day:
There is certainly something special about Ferrari that captures the imagination of more than just fans. Even people like me can appreciate the story of the brand and the pursuit of excellence that it exemplifies.
Enzo Ferrari once said: “No one remembers who took second place and that will never be me.”
It wasn’t arrogance (well, maybe a little) but it was about striving to always improve, always focus on quality, make something as good as it could possibly be. Whether it was building a car or driving in a race.
It’s about that feeling that Ferrari fans have that they are part of something beautiful because they are winning.
You can understand how the worshippers become so devout. It’s an infectious faith.
THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN MODENA
Although some people visit as a day trip from Bologna, I think it’s worth staying overnight in Modena to explore everything properly
BACKPACKER
It’s not a typical hostel but the lovely Ostello San Filippo Neri has some great dorm beds.
BUDGET
Just out of town, Country Rooms Modena offers budget rooms in the quiet countryside.
BOUTIQUE
For something special, PHI Hotel Canalgrande is in a former duke’s palace – and is decorated accordingly.
LUXURY
And for modern luxury, I would recommend the five-star Best Western Premier Milano Palace Hotel.
Time Travel Turtle was a guest of the Emilia Romagna tourism board but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.
Went back last month with my father-in-law. All the cars are different now, but still just as impressive! Awesome place to visit.
Yes, I read that they’ve changed the exhibition since we were there. It gives you a good excuse to go back, as you seem to have discovered! 🙂
So THAT’s what a car museum can look like! I do like Oldtimers (since you admitted to not being a fanatic, I can say that I too do not care about brands, really), but have always only been to places that have been crammed with everything that once could drive or fly. My conclusion after looking at the pictures in your post: a compromise between these two experiences would be perfect! Although, like you said, it’s a very powerful statement, putting these cars on pedestals and into this gigantic hall… I shall think about putting a pedestal in our home. It seems to be helpful for the mission to be worshipped – and I know, I know, I don’t really need it, but sometimes even I have a bad day, you know, like when I’m only 98% perfect, and I think I’d profit instantly from a pedestal right then. It’s not so much for me, as I’m not that concerned about this kind of stuff, but it would make everything much easier for Loz. Maybe there’s pedestals on offer at IKEA or something…
Oh, Vera my dear, you don’t need a pedestal to be worshipped. Perhaps a wooden box or something might help, though. I imagine it’s much easier to feel like you deserve to be worshipped if you’re above everyone else. It would be weird if you were lying on the ground. Because then people could be on their knees, bowing at you, and you’d still be beneath them.
What does any of this have to do with cars? How did we get on to this topic?
I’m definitely not a car person, but I enjoyed the Ferrari Museum! Looks like the displays are quite different from my last visit.
It’s great that they change them up a couple of times a year. And you don’t need to like cars to appreciate the place – I enjoyed that.
Ooohh, I’d be tempted to pop in all the time if I lived right across the road from it.
I wouldn’t be considered a real car person (since I’m still driving the car I bought 12 years ago) but I would love to be driving around in a sparkling Ferrari. Interesting story about Enzo himself.
I’m not so sure about driving around in a Ferrari. Sometimes I think it has some bad connotations, if you’re not using it for actual racing and stuff. Some of those people look a bit silly in the middle of the city in a car that is clearly not meant for them.
vintage cars looks so adorable and lovely…they all looks fantastic! I want one! 🙂
Maybe you could just drive one of these away. I’m sure they left the keys in the glove compartment! 🙂
Modena is my town and I love the Enzo Ferrari Casa natale, I actually just live across the road from the museum. Thank you for sharing this nice pictures
Ooohh, I’d be tempted to pop in all the time if I lived right across the road from it. How many times have you been in there? They should let the neighbours in for free… maybe even let you borrow one of the cars occasionally? 🙂
It’s great that they change them up a couple of times a year. And you don’t need to like cars to appreciate the place – I enjoyed that
As I mentioned, I’m not a huge car fan and I really enjoyed the place. It’s no different to an art museum because each car is a masterpiece in itself!
It’s great that they change them up a couple of times a year. And you don’t need to like cars to appreciate the place – I enjoyed that.
It’s certainly not somewhere just for car buffs – I think they intentionally design it so it’s a good experience for everyone.
It’s great that they change them up a couple of times a year. And you don’t need to like cars to appreciate the place –
vintage cars looks so adorable and lovely perfect
Ooohh, I’d be tempted to pop in all the time if I lived right across the road from it.
I’m sure you would find something new each time you went!
I have visited Modena museum twice in my life and it is definitely one of the best museums I have ever seen. Really recommend everyone to visit it!
Ontem eu era inteligente, queria mudar o mundo. Hoje eu sou sábio, estou mudando a mim mesmo.
Se Deus encheu tua vida de obstáculos, é porque ele acredita na tua capacidade de passar por cada um!
uma pergunta? posso divulgar seu artigo nas minhas redes social para as pessoas curtirem o seu artigo? pois é muito e instrutivo e de boa informação.