MODENA, an ancient city, in Latin Mutina, which gives name to a duchy of Italy, and is its capital. It stands 28 miles east of Parma, 44 almost south of Mantua, and 20 west of Bologna; and is a pretty large and populous, but not a handsome city. The population is said to amount to about 40,000. It is much celebrated by Roman authors for its grandeur and opulence; but was a great sufferer by the siege it underwent during the troubles of the triumvirate. It hath long been the usual residence of the dukes; and is also the see of a bishop, who is suffragan to the archbishop of Bologna. Mr Keyser says, that when Decius Brutus was besieged here by Mark Antony, Hirtius the consul made use of carrier pigeons; and that, even at this day, pigeons are trained up at Modena to carry letters and bring back answers. This city hath given birth to several celebrated persons, particularly Tasso the poet, Corregio the great painter, Sigonius the civilian and historian, Da Vignola the architect, and Montecuculi the imperial general. The tutelary saint of it is named Geminianus. The ducal palace is a very noble edifice, in which, among the other fine pictures, the birth of Christ by Corregio, called la Notte Felice, is much celebrated. The only manufacture for which this city is noted, is that of masks, of which great numbers are exported. The
churches of the Jesuits, of the Theatines, and of St Dominic, are well worth viewing. In the college of St Carlo Boromeo between 70 and 80 young noblemen are continually maintained, and instructed both in the sciences and genteel exercises. St Beatrix, who was of the family of Esté, is said to knock always at the gate of the palace three days before any of the family dies. Before most of the houses are covered walks or porticoes, as at Bologna. The city is fortified, and on its south side stands the citadel. E. Long. 11. o. N. Lat. 44. 34.