

Carpi and the surrounding area
WeLive can be found at “Corso Roma 32” in the city-center of Carpi.
You will be located just 5 minutes away from the Castello dei Pio, and just a few steps from the third-largest plaza in Italy, the Piazza dei Martiri, the plaza Piazza Garibaldi, with its wide range of restaurants, bars, palaces, and arcades rich in culture and full of charm.
The castle and palaces full of secrets, the wide-open spaces, the harmony of the renaissance period, the warmth of cotto, the arcades decorated with tables full of music make Carpi the ideal destination for a romantic getaway.
While less famous than the more noble and crowded touristic cities, Carpi is a small diamond in the rough waiting to be discovered. Walking through its streets will transport you back in time and give you a glimpse back through history.
Within 50 meters of your room, you will find everything you need to suit your taste. From traditional restaurants to more modern and exotic food, a gym, and historical monuments are just the beginning. Whether your stay with us is for business or if you just want to relax on your vacation, Carpi offers everything you could need within walking distance.
Sights and Places of Interest in Carpi
Piazza dei Martiri
The third-largest plaza in Italy, Piazza dei Martiri was born during the renaissance thanks to the patronage of the Pio family. Rich with life and poetry, it is centered in the middle of the numerous arcades and most fascinating historic buildings of Carpi.
Castello dei Pio di Savoia
This castle or Palace dei Pio is an imposing structure in the small city dominating over both the Piazza dei Martiri and Piazzale Re Astolfo, considered the medieval heart of the city. Born as a defensive fortress during the 11th century, it was repurposed during the 16th century as a Renaissance palace. Inside, it houses the palace museum, city museum, the monument museum of those racially or politically deported, and the Castello dei ragazzi, and is privileged to host various prestigious artistic and cultural events.
Monument museum of those deported
In the opinion of Ludovico Belgioioso, who initially was an intern who eventually became the head architect of the project, this is “A place that will instill emotions in you lasting a lifetime”. The walls are graffitied with pieces by artists such as Picasso, Guttuso, Léger, and Cagli.
This museum houses objects chosen by Lica and Able Steiner as symbols of the life inside the camps such as objects, letters, and messages of the deported during the Nazi persecution. The museum opened its doors in 1973 and, together with the concentration camp of Fossoli, represents a testimony of anti-semitism.
Designed by BBPR studio pioneered by Belgioioso, Banfi, Peressutti, and Rogers in collaboration with Giuseppe Lanzani and Renato Guttuso, the museum is located on the ground floor of the Castello dei Pio.
Former concentration camp of Fossoli
Centerpoint of the first chapter of “Se questo è un uomo” (translated to If this is a man) and Primo Levi’s poem “Tramonto a Fossoli” (translated to sunset at Fossoli), this site represents an important testimony to the history of World War II.
The Fossoli camp was, in fact, the main concentration and transit camp for the deportation of Jews and political opponents of the German forces in Italy. It is a site that arouses strong emotions and aims to preserve and pass on the memory of what occurred to future generations.
Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta
The main cathedral of Carpi, named the “Basilica cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta”, looks over the Piazza dei Martiri. Its construction began in 1514 at the behest of Prince Alberto Pio III and was completed at the end of the 18th century.
The façade was finished in the second half of the 17th century in the baroque style. Gravely damaged during the 2012 earthquake, it underwent massive restorations and has now been reopened to the public.
Pieve di Santa Maria in Castello della la Sagra
The parish church (Pieve) of Santa Maria in Castello, also known as the Chiesa della Sagra, was constructed in 752 AD. It is the oldest religious building in Carpi and overlooks the Piazzale Re Astolfo. Legend has it that King Astolfo lost his adored hunting falcon during an excursion in the countryside of Carpi. After desperately searching, he miraculously found it in the branches of a hornbeam tree. To give thanks to Mother Mary (La Madonna) he organized the construction of this church in his honor.
The Façade was designed using Renaissance influence by Baldassarre Peruzzi and construction was finished in 1515.
Palazzo Foresti
The Forest palace is a splendid private residence with a neoclassical revival style enriched with Neo-Baroque elements constructed in the 19th century. It still retains numerous or original decorations and decor such as the splendid Liberty Lounge.
Oasi La Francesa
The “Oasi La Francesa” is a wildlife preserve situated in Valle di Gruppo special protection area near the town of Fossoli approximately 3 miles from Carpi.
These natural 8 hectares with low water levels represent the ideal habitat to guarantee the biological and reproductive cycle of the numerous bird species that call this home.
Sites to visit in Modena
The Cathedral of Modena
Icon of the Romanesque period, the cathedral of Modena was designed by the architect Lanfranco and decorated by the sculptor Wilegelmo. It stands at the site of the “sepolcro di san Geminiano”, the patron saint of Modena.
In the crypt of the cathedral lie ashes of the saint, preserved in an urn from the 4th century. The sarcophagus, stored inside a protective crystal casing, is opened every year on January 31st, the day of his festival. The remains of the saint are dressed in the bishop’s robes with the crosier next to it for visits from the devoted faithful.
Next to the cathedral stands the Ghirlandina belltower. The Modena cathedral with the Civic tower and Piazza Grande has been included as an Italian UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
Palazzo Ducale, Military Academy
The Palazzo Ducale was the residence for the Este court from the 17th to the 19th century. Since the unification of Italy, it has housed the students of the military academy.
This building, built-in 1634 at the site of the ancient Este Castle, has been deemed one of the most important princely palaces of the 17th. The project was supervised by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It also is home to the Academic Historical Museum and a precious library.
Palazzo Ducale of Sassuolo
Known also as “Delizia” thanks to the fact that it is surrounded by splendid fountains and its wonderful gardens and impressive interior decor. It also claims fame for the “Peschiere Ducale” also called “Fontanazzo”.
The Fortress of Vignola
This castle was built after the Carolingian age to defend the town from Hungarian barbarians. This fortress was used exclusively for military purposes until the 15th century.
In 1401 the noble Uguccioneof Contrari received the fiefdom of Vignola as a gift from the lord of Ferrara Niccolò III. Over the next 20 years, the fortress underwent dramatic changes becoming the home of the extremely wealthy Contrari family.
The spiraling staircase of Jacopo Barozzi
The splendid spiraling staircase can be found in the Barozzi plaza (Palazzo Barozzi) named after its creator who was also known as “Il Vignola”. This renaissance palace was built between 1560-1567 under the orders of the Elder Ercole Contrari.
The stairs form an extraordinary helical shape are considered an architectural masterpiece of the highest level.
The abbey of San Silvester in Nonantola and Museum of Sacred Art
The abbey was created in 752 AD by Abbot Anselmo on the territory given to him as a gift from the Lombard king AStolfo. The construction of the church, in the Romanesque style, began in the 8th century by the contemporary Benedictine monastery of which the original refectory walls still stand.
The abbey archives boast more than 4,500 parchments of which 131 originate before the year 1000. Among the most important of these parchments were written by Charlemagne with his famous monogram, containing the signature of Matilde di Canossa and that of Frederick Barbarossa. These famous parchments are still on display at the Benedictine museum.
Borgo di Castelvetro
Castelvetro is a small village perched in the hills and embellished with towers and bell towers. Scaling the stone staircase, you will arrive in Piazza Roma where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding hillsides.
The iconic clock tower is the emblem of the city serving as its protective guardian. Nearby is the Levizzano Rangone Castle with its Matildic tower that dominates the landscape.
For those with a passion for Automobiles
The Ferrari Museum of Modena and Maranello
An unmissable stop for Prancing Horse enthusiasts.
It offers a journey among the red cars of Maranello and even a road test for the most daring!
Maserati: Factory and Showroom
Thanks to the Factory Tours, it is possible to book a visit to satisfy all your curiosities about the Maserati factory in Modena and offers the chance to visit its showroom, the Maserati Gran Cabrio and Gran Turismo assembly line and the test and finishing area.
The Umberto Panini Motor Museum Collection
A notable exposition of automotive history. While it is mainly dedicated to Maserati it also contains sections dedicated to vintage motorcycles, scooters, and vintage tractors.
Ferruccio Lamborghini Museum
An exciting and emotional location for Lamborghini lovers that tells the story of Ferruccio Lamborghini and includes some of the most exclusive models in the world such as the famous Miura SV.