Excerpt from the Book  "Il libro dell' Associazione Comuni Modenesi Area Nord" -  2002/2003 Edition

The magnificent Palazzo Comunale is located in Costituente Square and is a perfect sample of Renaissance Architecture. The side of the building facing the square was made in 1468, while the palace's front draws back to the 19th century. The front of the palace is also overhung by a big clock. Inside there's a rectangular gallery supported by high columns in pink Verona marble. Quite close to Palazzo Comunale is Bergomi Palace, a bricked building. Saint Francis Church in baroque style, is one of the oldest Franciscan churches in the whole country, probably the third after Assisi's and Bologna's. The Church is the most important building in the town. The Picos, Princes of Mirandola, were so fond of the church that they chose  as their tomb. The church hosts a wide number of paintings such as The Adoration of the Magi by Pietro Faccini of Bologna and Saint Francis by Sante Peranda. The Dome is likewise in Gothic style with strong Renaissance influences. It was built between 1440 and 1470 by the two brothers Giovanni and Francesco Pico and lately turned into a collegiate church by Pope Paul II. The front of the church in baroque style was re-handled in the 19th century, while the other two sides are authentic. The polygonal apses are also authentic, while the bell tower draws back to the 17th century. The erection of the Dome witnesses the city's antique splendour and power. Inside the Dome, devoted to Saint Mary the Great, on the right aisle's wall, there are two paintings made by Sante Peranda of Venice (1566-1638). They are "Saint Stephan" and "The Doomed with SS. Francis and Charles Borromeo". At the bottom of the aisle there is the Cross by Pietro Annigoni (1983 ). In the Madonna of Pompey Chapel, there is an altar in golden wood. The piece, of Mirandola's school, draws back to the 17th century. It's devoted to the Virgin and on each side there are two statues featuring the Faith, Giuseppe Pisani's last work, and the Hope, made in 1837. Within the Vestry there is The Madonna appearing to San Felice da Cantalice by Alessandro Tiarini (1612) and other small paintings featuring histories of Saint Joseph, drawing back to the 18th century. Close to the Dome is the SS. Sacrament Oratory. Mirandola's Castle of medieval origins stands out among the other monuments. Near the Castle there is the monument dedicated to Giovanni Pico, built in 1963. Quite close to Saint Francis Church, there is the Church of Jesus built up under Alexander I and closely connected to the Picos' family. The wooden statues inside the Church witness the high level in carving art reached by Mirandola around the end of the 17th century. Not far from the Church of Jesus and Costituente Square there is the Madonnina Oratory, also known as the Virgin of the Door Oratory. Federico II Pico had the Oratory built to thank the Madonna for the end of a plague named 'qa burraschetta" (the little storm). The Madonna of the Oratory was the one which appeared on the main door of the city. On the main Altar there is the wonderful fresco painted in the 15th century by Francesco Pacchioni. Not to be neglected is the old Barchessone. It was probably built in 1824 by a local farmer named Ettore Cantelli. The old Barchessone was built as horse shed. The Picos themselves began to raise horses around the 15th century. The practice was very successful, especially when the extension of agricultural land had been reduced by the floods.