* Ferrara: Where Cinema, Literature, and Art Come Alive *

Ferrara is not just a "Renaissance Jewel" or a UNESCO World Heritage city – it’s a place that has been inspiring writers, painters, and filmmakers for centuries. With its quiet cobblestone streets, imposing Renaissance walls, elegant palaces, and an atmosphere suspended between past and present, Ferrara feels like a stage set waiting to tell a story. And many great stories have indeed been told here.

Among them stands out The Gold Rimmed Glasses (Gli Occhiali d’Oro), a 1987 film directed by Giuliano Montaldo and based on Giorgio Bassani’s novel. More than just a movie, it captures the city’s soul and introduces Ferrara as a silent, unforgettable protagonist.

Giorgio Bassani and the Ferrara of Memory

Giorgio Bassani is one of the authors who most deeply shaped Ferrara’s literary identity. His works – from Five Stories of Ferrara to the celebrated The Garden of the Finzi-Continis – turn the city into a timeless symbol, where private destinies and collective history intertwine.

In The Gold Rimmed Glasses (1958), Bassani tells the poignant story of two outsiders in 1930s Ferrara: a young Jewish intellectual marginalized by racial laws, and Dr. Fadigati, a respected physician whose homosexuality isolates him from society.

The Film Adaptation: The Gold Rimmed Glasses (1987)

Almost thirty years later, director Giuliano Montaldo brought this moving tale to the big screen. With performances by Philippe Noiret, Rupert Everett, Valeria Golino, and even a cameo by Ruud Gullit, the film recreates the fragile, suspended atmosphere of Ferrara in the 1930s.

The camera lingers on iconic locations – Corso Ercole I d’Este, the Este Castle, narrow alleys, and quiet piazzas – showing Ferrara not merely as a backdrop, but as a character with its own voice, full of silence and memory.

Ferrara on the Silver Screen

Ferrara has continued to inspire directors well beyond Montaldo. Vittorio De Sica filmed his Oscar-winning The Garden of the Finzi-Continis here in 1970, and in recent years the city has become the set for a new wave of films and TV series:

• L’orto americano – Pupi Avati (2023)

• Manipulation – David Balda (2023)

• Rosa Elettrica – Sky series (2024)

• Le Bambine (Mosquitoes) – Nicole & Valentina Bertani (2025)

• L’isola degli idealisti – Elisabetta Sgarbi (2025)

From gothic atmospheres to contemporary thrillers, Ferrara lends itself to every kind of story, its timeless beauty enhancing each frame.

Walking Through a Living Film Set

Exploring Ferrara today means much more than admiring Renaissance masterpieces or visiting museums. It means stepping into a city where literature and cinema overlap, where every corner can spark a memory of a book or a scene from a film.

You can stroll along the Renaissance walls, imagining the characters of Bassani’s novels; wander down quiet alleys that once hosted Montaldo’s film crews; or cross the piazzas that today appear in international cinema and streaming series.

Ferrara is a city to be experienced with all the senses – elegant yet discreet, timeless yet alive, steeped in history yet constantly inspiring new art.

Why Make a Stop in Ferrara

Discover Ferrara’s most intimate soul… a city of elegant beauty, quiet strength, and unforgettable atmosphere.

Ferrara moves, breathes, and inspires. And once you walk its streets, it will stay with you forever.

🌹 Fall in love with Ferrara the way writers and filmmakers did. But most importantly, don’t just visit Ferrara – live it!

At A Casa di Maica, every detail is designed to make you feel at home while surrounding you with timeless beauty. Wake up to the quiet charm Ferrara’s countryside and end your day under the stars of a city that breathes art and memory at every corner.

💫 Book your escape today – Ferrara is waiting to inspire your own love story!

At A Casa di Maica, we offer tailor-made hospitality for travelers who seek more than a stay. From personalized recommendations to unique local experiences, every moment is curated with elegance and care.

🌍 Reserve your stay now and indulge in the Ferrara of cinema, art, and refined Italian living!

www.acasadimaica.com Tel: +39 338 7477305