Via Coperta

Via Coperta is a Renaissance corridor that spans five arches between the Municipal Palace and the Estense Castle, connecting them at the level of the noble rooms. The passageway runs in a straight covered line and offers views of the city from within through small openings.

Construction began in 1471 under Duke Ercole I d'Este, creating a secure link between the ducal residence and the fortress. A marble balcony was later added during Alfonso I's reign, marking an architectural update to this elevated passage.

The name 'Via Coperta' means 'covered way' and describes its design as an enclosed passage. From this elevated walkway, visitors can see how the ruling family moved between their two main buildings without entering the streets below.

The corridor is open to the public on certain weekdays and is accessed through the staircase system of the Municipal Palace. It is helpful to check current opening hours beforehand, as these may vary seasonally.

This passage once housed masterworks of art by painters such as Titian and Raphael before they were scattered to major museums across Europe. Although the paintings are now gone, walking through the rooms reveals the scale and light where these treasures once hung.