Mirandola

Mirandola
Comune
Comune di Mirandola

Coat of arms
Mirandola
Location of Mirandola in Italy
Coordinates: 44°53′12″N 11°4′0″E / 44.88667°N 11.06667°E / 44.88667; 11.06667Coordinates: 44°53′12″N 11°4′0″E / 44.88667°N 11.06667°E / 44.88667; 11.06667
Country Italy
Region Emilia-Romagna
Province Modena
Frazioni Cividale, Gavello, Mortizzuolo, Quarantoli, San Giacomo Roncole, San Martin Carano, San Martino Spino, Tramuschio
Government
 • Mayor Maino Benatti
Area
 • Total 137.1 km2 (52.9 sq mi)
Elevation 18 m (59 ft)
Population (2008)[1]
 • Total 22,068
 • Density 160/km2 (420/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Mirandolesi
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 41037
Dialing code 0535
Patron saint Saint Possidonio
Saint day 16 May
Website Official website

Mirandola (Mirandolese: La Miràndla) is a city and comune of Emilia-Romagna, Italy, in the Province of Modena, 31 kilometres (19 mi) northeast of the provincial capital by railway.

History

Mirandola originated as a Renaissance city-fortress. For four centuries it was the seat of an independent principality (first a county, then a duchy), a possession of the Pico family, whose most outstanding member was the polymath Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463–94). It was besieged two times: in 1510 and 1551.

It was acquired by the Duchy of Modena in 1710. The city started to decay after the castle was destroyed in 1714.

On 29 May 2012, a powerful earthquake hit the Mirandola area. It killed at least 17 people and collapsed churches and factories. Also 200 were injured. The 5.8 magnitude quake left 14,000 people homeless.[2]

Main sights

  • The Palazzo del Comune is a 15th-century edifice of Gothic style.
  • The castle of the Pico family has been recently restored and it is now open to the public.
  • Palazzo della Ragione, in late Gothic style.
  • Palazzo Bergomi (15th century)
  • Palazzo Comunale (1468, largely restored in the 19th century), with the portraits of the Pico and other artworks, including an Adoration of the Magi once attributed to Palma il Giovane.
  • The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, dating from the end of the 15th century, has been restored.
  • The Church of San Francesco is a fine Gothic church. It houses the tombs of the Pico family, including that of Prendiparte Pico (14th century). Collapsed during the second of the 2012 Emilia earthquakes.
  • The Baroque Church of Gesù (1690).
  • The 15th century Collegiata.
  • Teatro Nuovo, opera house and theater built in 1905 and renovated in 2005

Twin cities

Sources

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Mirandola". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

  1. ↑ Source: Comune di Mirandola
  2. ↑ Dailystar, 17 dead and 200 injured in latest killer quake in northern Italy, May 30, 2012 12:40 AM, By Colleen Barry
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