Timeline of Ferrara

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Ferrara in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.

Prior to 17th century

 * 7th century
 * San Giorgio Cathedral built.
 * Benedictine Pomposa Abbey founded near Ferrara (approximate date).
 * 624 – Roman Catholic diocese of Ferrara active.
 * 753 – Lombards in power.
 * 774 – Archbishop of Ravenna in power.
 * 988 – Tedald of Canossa in power.
 * 1055 – "Imperial privileges" granted.
 * 1101 – Ferrara besieged by forces of Matilda of Tuscany.
 * 1115 – Ferrara becomes a "free commune."
 * 1135 – New San Giorgio Cathedral consecrated on the.
 * 1158 – Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor in power.
 * 1196 – Azzo VI of Este becomes podesta.
 * 1227 – San Francesco church built.
 * 1240 – City besieged; Azzo VII d'Este in power.
 * 1243 – Palazzo Ducale built.
 * 1249 – Sant'Antonio in Polesine monastery founded.
 * 1264 – Obizzo II d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara in power.
 * 1278 – Ferarra becomes part of the Papal States.
 * 1283 – Torre del Rigobello (tower) built.
 * 1313 – Riccobaldo da Ferrara begins writing his Chronica parva Ferrariensis
 * 1317 – Obizzo III d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara in power.
 * 1326 – Palazzo della Ragione built.
 * 1333 – "Papal forces making a bid for more control in the province were defeated at Ferrara."
 * 1382 – Plague.
 * 1385
 * Economic unrest.
 * Castello Estense (castle) and Palazzo Schifanoia construction begins.
 * 1391
 * University of Ferrara established.
 * Palazzo Paradiso built.
 * 1393 – Niccolò III d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara in power.
 * 1435 – Castello Nuovo (castle) built.
 * 1438 – Religious Council of Ferrara held.
 * 1441 – Leonello d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara in power.
 * 1450 – Borso d'Este in power.
 * 1452 – Birth of future religious leader Savonarola.
 * 1461 – Certosa of Ferrara built.
 * 1471
 * Printing press in operation.
 * Ercole I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara in power.
 * walkway built.
 * 1482 – War of Ferrara begins.
 * 1484 – War of Ferrara ends; Venetian forces win.
 * 1492 – Addizione Erculea development begins.
 * 1493 – Palazzo dei Diamanti construction begins.
 * 1516 – Ariosto's poem Orlando Furioso published in Ferrara.
 * 1570 – November: 1570 Ferrara earthquake.
 * 1598 – Ferrara becomes part of the Papal States.

17th–19th centuries

 * 1602 – Teatro della Sala Grande (theatre) built.
 * 1608 – Castel Tedaldo demolished.
 * 1753 – Biblioteca Comunale Ariostea (library) opens in the Palazzo Paradiso.
 * 1771 – University of Ferrara Botanic Garden founded.
 * 1796 – City "occupied by Napoleonic troops" (until 1815).
 * 1797 – 2nd Battalion of the Polish Legions founded in Ferrara.
 * 1798 – Teatro Comunale (Ferrara) (theatre) opens.
 * 1823 – Accademia delle Scienze di Ferrara (learned society) formed.
 * 1836 – Pinacoteca Nazionale di Ferrara (museum) established in the Palazzo dei Diamanti.
 * 1838 – Teatro Montecatini (theatre) active.
 * 1846 – Teatro Bonacossi (theatre) active.
 * 1847 – Austrians take city.
 * 1859 – Austrians ousted; Ferrara becomes part of the Kingdom of Italy.
 * 1861 – Population: 64,204.
 * 1868 – Teatro Accademico (theatre) opens.
 * 1872 – (museum) opens.
 * 1897 – Population: 89,310.

20th century

 * 1901
 * begins operating.
 * Ferrara Camera del Lavoro (labor centre) founded.
 * 1903 – begins operating.
 * 1907 – SPAL (football club) formed.
 * 1911 – Population: 95,212.
 * 1912 – Birth of future filmmaker Antonioni.
 * 1920 – 20 December: (political unrest).
 * 1925 –  newspaper begins publication.
 * 1926 – (theatre) opens.
 * 1928 – Stadio Paolo Mazza opens.
 * 1943 – 15 November: (political unrest).
 * 1944 – Bombing during World War II.
 * 1955 – Archivio di Stato di Ferrara (state archives) established.
 * 1961 – Population: 152,654.
 * 1971 – City divided into 13 administrative frazione: Baura,, Fossanova San Marco, Francolino, Gaibanella, Marrara, Mizzana, Pontegradella, Pontelagoscuro, Porotto, Quartesana, Ravalle, San Bartolomeo in Bosco, and San Martino; and 9 quartieri: , Barco, Centro cittadino, Giardino, Mizzana, Porta Mare, Quacchio, San Giorgio, and Via Bologna.(it)
 * 1973 – Istituto di Storia Contemporanea di Ferrara (history society) founded.
 * 1989 –  newspaper begins publication.
 * 1999 – becomes mayor.

21st century

 * 2009 – Tiziano Tagliani becomes mayor.
 * 2014 – Population: 133,485.
 * 2019 – Alan Fabbri becomes mayor.

in English

 * (includes information about Ferrara circa 14th-16th century)
 * + 1870 ed.
 * + 1870 ed.
 * + 1870 ed.
 * + 1870 ed.
 * + 1870 ed.
 * + 1870 ed.
 * + 1870 ed.