Modena was just a quick stop for me, quick but busy. Busy because most of the sites I came here to see aren’t even in Modena, they’re in nearby towns. It was just a short train ride from Ravenna to get here, then I dropped my backpack off at the hotel since it was too early to check in, and immediately walked to the bus station to make my way to the first site on my agenda in Maranello.

That’s right, this whole area between Modena and Bologna, known as ‘Motor Valley’ is where two of the most famous Italian cars were conceived and are still currently built. First up were the Ferraris.

Enzo Ferrari was born and raised in Modena and started building his own cars in 1929, though the first car with the name Ferrari was built in 1947.

You wouldn’t guess it by reading this post, but in general I’m really not a car guy. These cars are really beautiful though.

Below is the yellow Spider they told me I wasn’t allowed to take pictures of. Ha!

For those who don’t know, Enzo was a huge racing enthusiast and Ferrari is huge in the racing world, so of course there were several race cars on display.

And Ferrari’s famous test track was right off the road. There wasn’t anything happening out there that day, but there it is.

Back in Modena, I checked into my hotel really fast and then walked down the street to the other Ferrari museum in the area, Museo Enzo Ferrari, which is inside the house that he was born and raised in. That and the huge building they built right next to it.

There were lots of different engines from throughout the years on display too, but the most interesting to me was the first one Enzo built. This 12 cylinder monster below.

The huge building next to his house that I mentioned was basically just a big showroom. Some of Ferrari’s first cars, some more recent ones, and some race cars from throughout the years.

Even though I’m not a huge car enthusiast, I really really enjoyed these two museums. But wait, there’s more!

There are more cars to see here in ‘Motor Valley’, but first I did my due diligence and explored Modena’s city center while finding dinner and more gelato. Yum!

Modena’s Romanesque cathedral was a surprisingly beautiful church, and to say that tower was impressive would be an understatement.

I couldn’t tell if that tower was actually leaning or if it was just an optical illusion, but I got a bit discombobulated looking at it.

Inside there were lots of marble and terra cotta sculptures, kind of like a baroque church, but it looked more dark and medieval to me.

Also down below the alter is the tomb of Saint Geminianus, Modena’s patron saint.

Ok, Jesus and the twelve apostles all walk into a restaurant. The host looks at Jesus, “Yes sir, can I help you?” Jesus replies, “Table for twenty six please?”

Equally as impressive as the cathedral was the Palazzo Ducale on the gigantic Piazza Roma. It was built in 1634 and it’s now a military academy.

As it turns out, the only day I had to go to this next museum was Sunday, which means the bus that goes there wasn’t running, which means I had to get a little creative. First, a thirty minute train to Bologna, then another thirty minute train to San Giovanni in Persiceto, then a three and half mile walk to the next town of Sant’Agata Bolognese, home of the Lamborghini Museum.

The museum was fairly small, but it sure packed a punch. Downstairs were the oldies and upstairs were the newer models.

I was interested to learn that Ferruccio Lamborghini was originally a very famous, and rich, maker of tractors and agricultural equipment. After years of frustration with his collection of sports cars which included a couple of Ferraris, and being personally insulted by Enzo Ferrari himself over a clutch, he decided to start making his own cars. Nothing like a personal insult to spark some creativity.

After enjoying the Lamborghinis, I made my way back to Modena by the same route, in reverse, starting with that three and a half mile walk back to the train station. I definitely got my miles in today! This would be much easier with a Ferrari or a Lamborghini of my own. Stay tuned, readers…