Modena, Province

1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child.

THE Dominions of the Duke of MODENA are bounded on the West by the Dutchy of Parma; on the North, by those of Mantua and Mirandola; on the East, by the Territories of Bononia, and part of the Dutchy of Ferrara; and on the South, by part of Toscany, and the Republick of Lucca. It is in Length, from North to South, about 84 Miles; and in Breadth, from East to West, about 46, being taken in the utmost Extent. This Country was erected into a Dutchy by the Emperor Frederick III. A. D. 1452, in favour of Borto of Esté, and is extremely fertile in Corn, Fruits and Cattel. It hath also given Birth to many famous Men, and among others, to Cardinal Sadolet, Segenius and Fallopius. In the Territories of the same State are comprehended 100 Towns or Boroughs, and a very great number of Castles. The Duke hath a Revenue of 350000 Crowns per Annum, his Ordinary Expences not exceeding 180000: He can levy Forces within the extent of his own Dominions, to the number of 20000 Foot, and 6000 Horse.

The Cities, Towns and Villages of chiefest Note are these: Viz.

MODENA, Bish. Cap. Regio, Bish. D. Corregio, Princ. Carpi, Princ. Bish. ...Finale. ...Concordia. ...Gaya. Roli, County. ...Sassuolo. ...Spilimborgo. ...Carpeneto. ...Ferrazano. ...Vignola. ...Scandiano. ...Sestola. ...St. Andrea. ...Bersello. ...Montechio. ...Canossa. ...Castelnuovo di Carfagnano. ...Gualtieri. ...Frignano. Mirandola, a particular Dutchy.

MODENA, Mutina, in the Latit. of 43 deg. 52 min. and the Longit. of 33 deg. 15 min. is situated on the Aemilian Road, between the Rivers of Sechia and Panaro, and distant 35 Miles almost East of Parma, 44 almost South-east of Mantua, 58 North-west of Florence, 95 South-west of Venice, 106 South-east of Milan, and 200 North-west of Rome. It is a Place of much Antiquity, and was one of the twelve Colonies of the Etrurians or Toscans beyond the Apennine. Its Episcopal See heretofore depended on the Metropolitan of Ravenna, and is at present subject to that of Bononia. The Houses here are handsomly built with Brick, but not very high. Here are many Portico's and Arches to be seen, together with a great number of Fountains, and fair Mansion-Houses; but the Streets are very narrow and dirty. Neither are the Duke's Palace & Cathedral very magnificent Structures. But the new Palace, begun partly on the Foundation of the former, is much more regular; and when finish'd, will appear a very stately Pile of Building. This City, which was raz'd under the Reign of the Goths and Vandals, and re-built by the Posterity of the Emperor Charlemagne, is now become extremely Populous, as containing within its Bounds about 40000 Inhabitants. It is also defended by a strong Citadel, and encompass'd with firm Walls, deep Ditches, and other regular Fortifications, in which there is said to be Arms for 40000 Men.

Regio, Regium Lepidi, and Regium Lepidium, is the Capital City of the Dutchy of the same Name; and in like manner an Episcopal See under the Metropolitan of Bononia, standing 15 Miles East of Parma, 18 almost West of Modena, and 34 South of Mantua. It is somewhat less than Modena, but of equal Strength, and makes a finer Show. It was at first a Colony of the Toscans, and then of Lepidus; but owes its Restauration to the Magnificence of Charlemagne, after having been often ruin'd through the Incursions of the Goths, and many other Barbarous Nations. It is now inhabited by about 22000 Persons, and hath a strong Citadel for its Defence, being also beautify'd with divers publick Edifices, more stately than those of Modena, particularly the Cathedral Church, the Roof whereof is painted by the most famous Masters of that Art, as well as the Chapel of the Fraternity della Motta. The adjacent Territories of this City are very fruitful in all sorts of Commodities, and a considerable Traffick is establish'd therein for Silk. The Inhabitants endeavour to acquire some Reputation by their Manufactures of Bone and Spurs▪ as well as those of Modena, by making Masques and Vizards. Poor Shifts to render a Place Famous! The Bone-works of Regio are little sorry Rings sold for Six-pence a Dozen; Chess-men, Shrines, Agnus Dei's, or Crosses, and all these cut out with a small Bill or Hatchet.

Corregio, Corregium, Corrigium, is a very fair and large Town, distant 12 Miles North-east of Regio, and 14 North-west of Modena. It is fenced with a well built Castle, and dignify'd with the Title of a Principality, having been heretofore govern'd by its own proper Lords of the same Name; but at last became subject to the Dukes of Modena, ever since the Year 1635.

Carpi, Carpum, is remarkable for its Foundation on a Channel of the River Sechia, and on the account of its Title of a Principality and Bishoprick; being distant 14 Miles almost North of Modena, 15 North-east of Regio, and 15 South-west of Mirandula, having a very large Territory. Indeed, it is a small City; nevertheless, well fortify'd with a Castle, strong Walls, and Moats full of Water. The Collegiate Church here was first founded by King Aictulphus; and afterward more magnificently re-built, through the Liberality of Albertus Pius, then Prince. It doth not depend on any Diocess, but is exempted from the Pretensions of the neighbouring Bishops, through the means of a singular Privilege granted by divers Popes, more-especially Julius II. and Leo X. The Family of the Pio's possess'd this Principality, from the Year 1319, until almost A. D. 1550, when it fell into the Hands of the Dukes of Modena.

Finale, or Final di Modena, to distinguish it from another Town of the like Name within the Dominions of the State of Genoa, stands on the Banks of the River Panaro, and in the Confines of the Dutchy of Ferrara, from the Capital City whereof it is distant 18 Miles to the West, and about 15 from Modena to the North-east, being chiefly remarkable by reason of its regular Fortifications.

Mirandola, Mirandula, so call'd from its principal Town, is a Sovereign Dutchy lying between those of Ferrara, Modena and Mantua, and the County of Concordia that appertains to the same Jurisdiction. The City of Mirandola, seated in the Lower-Lombardy, at the distance of 23 Miles North of Modena, 26 South-east of Mantua, 28 West of Ferrara, and 30 North-west of Bologna, is fortify'd with seven Royal Bastions, as also a strong Citadel and a Fort named Bocca. The Family of Pici have retain'd the Possession of Mirandola for the space of about 5 or 600 Years; and this Prince hath a Right to Coin Money, which nevertheless is only current throughout his own Dominions. His Revenue is reckon'd 80000 Crowns Yearly. The Foundation of the City (as it is generally believ'd) was laid in the time of the Emperor Constans, the Son of Constantine the Great.