Modena – Image Credit: pinomoscato (Flickr)
Every Ferrari aficionado is very familiar with the name of the hometown of the famous prancing horse. Maranello, the small town in Italy which is the birthplace of some of the most beautiful and sought-after cars in recent years.
As you drive into Maranello you’d be forgiven for thinking that you couldn’t possibly be in Ferrari’s home town. It seems too simple a town, perhaps not modern enough to be the place where the most technologically advanced road-going sports cars and a top Formula 1 team could be based.
That is, until you start spotting Ferrari flags here and there, shops selling Ferrari memorabilia and most importantly, a sign pointing to “Galleria Ferrari”; the Ferrari museum.
As you drive along the road anxiously waiting for that first glimpse of the Ferrari factory, all those moments of lust and childhood dreams of driving a bright red Ferrari come rushing back. You quickly drive past the turn off for the museum and then there is it, the famous entrance to one of the most famous car makers of all time.
A disguised development car appears out of the main gates and roars down the road. What a wonderful welcome to such a magical place.
But we’re not here to try and get into the factory, we’re here to take in the history of the prancing horse and so we turn around and follow the signs back to Galleria Ferrari.
The car park outside the museum is enormous, various coaches are already parked up; all a reflection of the incredible popularity of this tourist destination. Whether you’re a petrol head or not, you can’t help but be taken in by the magic of being in Ferrari territory.
As you enter the museum all the staff are dressed in standard red Ferrari attire. You pay the entrance fee, between €9 and €13 per person and proceed to absorb the delights of Ferrari history.
Amongst some of the earliest Ferraris you can read all about the history of the company, how the prancing horse logo came to be and even a mock up of Enzo Ferrari’s own office.
A large section of the museum is dedicated to the successful sports and Formula 1 racing cars, particularly from the Schumacher era when he brought home five world championships for the previously flagging Formula 1 racing team.
More modern Ferraris are equally well catered for. Upstairs is a Ferrari F40, F50 and an Enzo amongst other wonderful machines.
Whether you are a Ferrari aficionado or not, you can’t help but appreciate what is a fascinating insight into the history and passion behind such a successful and hugely desirable brand.
James has been writing about his travels around Europe over the past few years and has recently been working on his new Malpensa Airport website which includes great Malpensa airport car hire rates , live flight arrivals and departures and general information about the airport.
