Carpi
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Latest page update: 12 January 2025
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By Dion Protani
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The town of Carpi is located within the Province of Modena and has a population of 71,836 inhabitants. Standing at an elevation of 28 metres above sea level, it lies 64 kilometres north west of Bologna, the regional capital of Emilia Romagna.
Carpi is best known for its huge square, Piazza dei Martiri, the Palazzo dei Pio and the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta. So far, the town has escaped any significant form of international tourism which means the first visit is a pleasant surprise. |
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Piazza dei Martiri
Dominating the picturesque town centre is the enormous Piazza dei Martiri, one of the largest squares in Italy. You could spend a whole day on this square alone, exploring its sights or simply soaking up the laid-back atmosphere of this provincial town in one of the shaded cafes under the porticoed edges of the piazza.
At the northern end of the Piazza is the colourful facade of the 16th century Carpi Cathedral which was heavily renovated after an earthquake in 2012. The bright orange colouring of the cathedral matches the hues on display throughout the town where there's a mixture of yellow, terracotta and orange tints so typical of the Emilia Romagna region. The whole western flank of the square is taken up by the covered walkway concealing dozens of shops along with places to eat and drink outside on the piazza.
At the northern end of the Piazza is the colourful facade of the 16th century Carpi Cathedral which was heavily renovated after an earthquake in 2012. The bright orange colouring of the cathedral matches the hues on display throughout the town where there's a mixture of yellow, terracotta and orange tints so typical of the Emilia Romagna region. The whole western flank of the square is taken up by the covered walkway concealing dozens of shops along with places to eat and drink outside on the piazza.
Landmark buildings around the square
Dominating the opposite side of the square is the Palazzo dei Pio; the name comes from the Pio family who ruled the town from 1319 to 1525 before it became a part of the Duchy of Modena. Also known as the Castello dei Pio, the beautiful Renaissance building now houses local government facilities including the town's tourist office.
To the right of the Palazzo dei Pio is another bright facade, this time of the Teatro Comunale. There's a gap in between the theatre and the huge Palazzo: a walkway that leads into another square: Piazzale Re Astolfo.
From here you can see the Chiesa di Santa Maria in Castello and the medieval Torre della Sagra which towers above the square. The aesthetic charm of Carpi's colourful, historic buildings continues as you move south, away from Piazza dei Martiri. The porticoed buildings on either side of Corso Alberto Pio eventually give way to another pleasant square: Piazza Garibaldi.
To the right of the Palazzo dei Pio is another bright facade, this time of the Teatro Comunale. There's a gap in between the theatre and the huge Palazzo: a walkway that leads into another square: Piazzale Re Astolfo.
From here you can see the Chiesa di Santa Maria in Castello and the medieval Torre della Sagra which towers above the square. The aesthetic charm of Carpi's colourful, historic buildings continues as you move south, away from Piazza dei Martiri. The porticoed buildings on either side of Corso Alberto Pio eventually give way to another pleasant square: Piazza Garibaldi.
Getting to Carpi
Carpi's train station is situated a 6 minute walk (500 metres) east of the Cathedral with trains running north and south. The city of Modena is a 13 minute train ride south from Carpi with one stop, while the northbound train reaches as far as the beautiful city of Mantova in the neighbouring region of Lombardy.
A car affords greater flexibility to explore this part of the Po Valley and this is in many ways an area devoted to motor vehicles. Emilia Romagna is home to brands such as Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati, while the Ferrari Museum at Maranello is just a 35 minute drive south of Carpi.
A car affords greater flexibility to explore this part of the Po Valley and this is in many ways an area devoted to motor vehicles. Emilia Romagna is home to brands such as Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati, while the Ferrari Museum at Maranello is just a 35 minute drive south of Carpi.
Comune di Carpi
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Province: Modena
Region: Emilia Romagna Population: 72,525 (in 2024 - source) Total size: 132 km² Elevation: 28 metres Highlights: Piazza dei Martiri, Palazzo dei Pio, Cathedral Market days: Thursday and Saturday Close by: Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna, Maranello, Parma Recommended accommodation: Hotel Duomo |
