Via Coperta, Renaissance covered walkway in Ferrara, Italy

Via Coperta is a covered walkway on the noble floor of Ferrara's Palazzo Municipale, carried on five arches and linking the palace's north wing with the Castello Estense. It gave the Este court a private route between residence and fortress, and from 1481 access to the delizia, the small pleasure garden beside the castle later called the Garden of the Duchesses.

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, 'covered way', refers to the enclosed passage itself. From 1481 the Este court could also reach the delizia, a small pleasure garden Ercole I d'Este laid out beside the castle, later called the Garden of the Duchesses. Servants used the walkway to reach the large courtyard enclosed between the palaces.

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.

The walkway also let courtiers reach the delizia, a small pleasure garden Ercole I d'Este laid out beside the castle from 1481, later called the Garden of the Duchesses. Servants used the same covered route to reach the large courtyard enclosed between the palaces.