Town · Province of Ferrara · Emilia-Romagna

Cento

Cento is a town and comune in the Province of Ferrara, in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It lies on the plain between Ferrara, Bologna and Modena, on the historic borderland of the three territories. The town is known above all as the birthplace of the Baroque painter Guercino, whose legacy remains central to its cultural identity.

At a glance

Type: Town and comune
Period: Historic plain town; Baroque cultural centre
Style: Emilian plain town
Location: Province of Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Overview

Cento is a town and comune in the province of Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It stands on the flat plain west of Ferrara, near the borders with the provinces of Bologna and Modena. The town is closely associated with the painter Guercino.

History

Cento developed on the plain at the meeting point of the Ferrara, Bologna and Modena territories. The town is famous as the birthplace of Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, one of the leading Baroque painters of the seventeenth century. Its historic centre is dominated by the fortress known as La Rocca.

What you see

The town centre is marked by La Rocca, the brick fortress that stands as Cento's principal landmark. The surrounding territory is the flat farmland typical of the lower Po Valley. The legacy of Guercino is reflected in the town's artistic collections and civic memory.

Cultural significance

Cento holds a notable place in the history of Italian art as the home town of Guercino, a master of the Bolognese Baroque. The town preserves this heritage as part of the wider cultural landscape of the Ferrara plain.

Practical information

Cento is accessible year-round. For opening hours of La Rocca and the town's art collections, check the official municipal website.

Getting there

Cento is reached by road from Ferrara to the east and from Bologna and Modena to the south and west. The nearest major airport is Bologna Guglielmo Marconi, with mainline rail services available at Ferrara and Bologna.

Sources & resources

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Historical events at this place (4)