Carpi

Carpi is a city in Modena Province, in Italy's Po valley 20 km north of the provincial capital Modena.

Understand
Carpi is a large city, with a textile industry and population of some 71,000 in 2017, yet its old centre is compact. It was founded in 752 AD, and ruled by the Pio dynasty from 1319 to 1525 then by the Este family. Between them they created the city's medieval and Renaissance centre, ranged around its impressive piazza. Repairs continue after the earthquake of 2012 but most attractions are open to visit.

The dark side of Carpi is Fossoli concentration camp 5 km north. Some 2000 Jews were dispatched to their death at Auschwitz during World War II.

Get in
The nearest airports are in Bologna and in Verona. They have limited flights and you're probably better flying into Milan or Venice.

Regional trains run every 30 min from Modena to Carpi, taking 15 min, and continue north to Mantua. Change at Modena for trains along the Po valley from Milan, Piacenza, Parma and Reggio Emilia, which continue to Bologna, Rimini and the south.

The is 200 m east of town centre.

SETA Bus 500 runs from Modena every 30 min or so, taking 50 min to Carpi.

The is at Piazzale Allende, which fronts onto Via Baldassarre Peruzzi 500 m west of town centre.

By car follow A22 motorway Modena-Brennero. Reckon an hour from Bologna and 20 mins from Modena.

Get around
The historic centre is a traffic-free zone and easily explored on foot.

See

 * is the centrepiece of the city, a fine Rennaissance square flanked by a portico with 52 columns. At 300 m by 150 m it's Italy's third biggest square, with all the city's principal buildings around it.
 * Other churches by the piazza are San Bernardino da Siena and Chiesa dell'Adorazione.
 * Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio next to the monastery was built in 1670 by the Jesuits.
 * was a wartime prison camp. It was built in 1942 for allied POWs captured in North Africa. In 1943 these were transferred to Germany, and the camp was enlarged to become a concentration and transit camp primarily for Italian Jews. Some 2800 of these were dispatched to Auschwitz, as chronicled by Primo Levi in If This Be a Man. It closed in 1944 as the Allies advanced, but had three spells of later use for refugees, up to 1970. The camp is open on Sunday 10.00-13.00 and 15.00-19.00.
 * Other churches by the piazza are San Bernardino da Siena and Chiesa dell'Adorazione.
 * Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio next to the monastery was built in 1670 by the Jesuits.
 * was a wartime prison camp. It was built in 1942 for allied POWs captured in North Africa. In 1943 these were transferred to Germany, and the camp was enlarged to become a concentration and transit camp primarily for Italian Jews. Some 2800 of these were dispatched to Auschwitz, as chronicled by Primo Levi in If This Be a Man. It closed in 1944 as the Allies advanced, but had three spells of later use for refugees, up to 1970. The camp is open on Sunday 10.00-13.00 and 15.00-19.00.
 * was a wartime prison camp. It was built in 1942 for allied POWs captured in North Africa. In 1943 these were transferred to Germany, and the camp was enlarged to become a concentration and transit camp primarily for Italian Jews. Some 2800 of these were dispatched to Auschwitz, as chronicled by Primo Levi in If This Be a Man. It closed in 1944 as the Allies advanced, but had three spells of later use for refugees, up to 1970. The camp is open on Sunday 10.00-13.00 and 15.00-19.00.
 * was a wartime prison camp. It was built in 1942 for allied POWs captured in North Africa. In 1943 these were transferred to Germany, and the camp was enlarged to become a concentration and transit camp primarily for Italian Jews. Some 2800 of these were dispatched to Auschwitz, as chronicled by Primo Levi in If This Be a Man. It closed in 1944 as the Allies advanced, but had three spells of later use for refugees, up to 1970. The camp is open on Sunday 10.00-13.00 and 15.00-19.00.
 * was a wartime prison camp. It was built in 1942 for allied POWs captured in North Africa. In 1943 these were transferred to Germany, and the camp was enlarged to become a concentration and transit camp primarily for Italian Jews. Some 2800 of these were dispatched to Auschwitz, as chronicled by Primo Levi in If This Be a Man. It closed in 1944 as the Allies advanced, but had three spells of later use for refugees, up to 1970. The camp is open on Sunday 10.00-13.00 and 15.00-19.00.
 * was a wartime prison camp. It was built in 1942 for allied POWs captured in North Africa. In 1943 these were transferred to Germany, and the camp was enlarged to become a concentration and transit camp primarily for Italian Jews. Some 2800 of these were dispatched to Auschwitz, as chronicled by Primo Levi in If This Be a Man. It closed in 1944 as the Allies advanced, but had three spells of later use for refugees, up to 1970. The camp is open on Sunday 10.00-13.00 and 15.00-19.00.
 * was a wartime prison camp. It was built in 1942 for allied POWs captured in North Africa. In 1943 these were transferred to Germany, and the camp was enlarged to become a concentration and transit camp primarily for Italian Jews. Some 2800 of these were dispatched to Auschwitz, as chronicled by Primo Levi in If This Be a Man. It closed in 1944 as the Allies advanced, but had three spells of later use for refugees, up to 1970. The camp is open on Sunday 10.00-13.00 and 15.00-19.00.

Do

 * VIE Scena Contemporanea Festival in late Feb is mostly in Modena but with some events in Carpi.
 * Festival of San Bernadino da Siena the town's patron saint is on 20 May.
 * Carpi Summer Fest is in July.
 * Festivalfilosofia is held in Sept between Modena, Sassuolo and Carpi. The next is 17-19 Sept 2021.
 * The Italian Marathon is run in October between Maranello and Carpi. The town marathon is mid-June.

Buy
Shopping in the city market (on Thursdays and Saturdays morning) or in the many shops (mostly textile wares). There are many shops around the square that specialize in selling particular goods, many of them clothing, but beware that much of it is pricy, as Carpi is known for its fashion.

Eat

 * Local specialties include pasta with fillings such as meat, pumpkin, cheese, herbs, and sauces like cream, butter and herbs, and meat ragù. In cold weather eat polenta with roast sausages, beans with tomato sauce, and mushrooms in sauce. Zuppa Inglese is a dessert of vanilla pudding, chocolate pudding, soft Savoiardi biscuits and a dash of liqueur.

Drink
Obviously Lambrusco! Three main denominations are available: Grasparossa, Sorbara, Salamino di S. Croce.

Sleep

 * Lots of small B&Bs and Agroturismo places in the nearby countryside.
 * Lots of small B&Bs and Agroturismo places in the nearby countryside.
 * Lots of small B&Bs and Agroturismo places in the nearby countryside.
 * Lots of small B&Bs and Agroturismo places in the nearby countryside.

Connect
Carpi has 4G from all Italian carriers. As of May 2021, 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Modena the provincial capital is only 15 min away, with an array of fine piazzas, churches and palaces.
 * Bologna is a must-see for its historic centre.