Modena World Heritage Festival

The 2025 Edition

The eighth edition of Modena World Heritage Festival, titled The Last Stone and the Beginning of Memory, was held from October 9th to 12th, 2025, in Modena's historic center, evoking the completion of the Ghirlandina Tower in 1319.

The heart of the festival was the "Ghirlandina. Light and Memory" videomapping show, projected in Piazza Torre and created by Delumen under the direction of Santimone srl, which retraced the two centuries of the tower's construction, linking the UNESCO recognition to the title of Creative City for Media Arts. Among the most applauded events was the reading "Timeless Verses" with actor Giancarlo Giannini in the Cathedral, accompanied by Marco Zurzolo's musical project. The program also included themed guided tours such as "Beyond the Construction Site" and "To the Top... and All Around," special openings, and workshops for children, all with free admission.

Thursday, October 9th

• 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM — Opening in Piazza Torre with the videomapping show "Ghirlandina. Light and Memory"

Friday, October 10th, and Saturday, October 11th

• 9:00 PM — Cathedral: "Timeless Verses. A Journey Through Poetry", reading with Giancarlo Giannini and Marco Zurzolo's musical project
• 10:30 PM and 11:00 PM — Piazza Torre: projections of the videomapping show "Ghirlandina. Light and Memory"

Sunday, October 12th

• 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM — Piazza Torre: projections of the videomapping show "Ghirlandina. Light and Memory"

Throughout the Weekend

• Themed guided tours by reservation: "Beyond the Construction Site" (artistic treasures of the Cathedral) and "To the Top... and All Around" (the Ghirlandina and the medieval city)
• Special openings of monuments and cultural institutions
• Workshops for children and families

The customary evening videomapping show "Ghirlandina. Light and Memory" on the Ghirlandina Tower and the reading "Timeless Verses" with Giancarlo Giannini in the Cathedral, accompanied by Marco Zurzolo.