Galleria Ferrari: Tribute to Italy's High-Speed Heritage

No visitor to Italy can ignore the Italian love affair with sports and racing. Formula 1 racing is one of Italy's most-watched sports. Team Ferrari is so popular that the nation virtually grinds to a halt on race afternoons. Michael Schumacher, Team Ferrari's premier driver, has won six drivers' crowns, more than any other driver.

Visitors to central Italy can visit a one-of-a-kind museum built to enshrine the Ferrari legend. Galleria Ferrari is located in Maranello, 19 kilometers south of Modena. This museum was built by the town of Maranello. It is only 300 meters from the famous Ferrari factory; visitors can sometimes see new Ferrari cars being tested on the factory track next to the museum.

Galleria Ferrari is as sleek, high-tech and sexy as any racing lover could wish. Glamorous Ferraristas clad in racing uniforms greet visitors and usher them into the three-level museum. The exhibits include a glimpse into the life of Enzo Ferrari, the legendary founder of the racing empire. Rows of trophies and hundreds of photos document Team Ferrari's racing success.

Racing enthusiasts will love the exhibit dedicated to the Formula 1 universe. The highlight of this section of the museum is, of course, the cars themselves. You can see the evolution of F1 cars for yourself as you stand right next to Michael Schumacher's championship 2002 car or peek at Enzo Ferrari's original vehicle, the 125.

True Ferrari lovers will be thrilled with the engines, models and videos that document Ferrari production. Today, Ferrari produces about 4,000 cars per year and employs nearly 2,000 people. Museum visitors can learn about Ferrari's current and future projects as well as glory in past successes.

Galleria Ferrari has recently added a new space that allows the museum to showcase temporary exhibitions. The special exhibits are usually open for several months; a recent display featured eight-cylinder Ferraris.

The Galleria's newest themed exhibition features the 612 Scaglietti, a 12-cylinder, four-seat model. This exhibit is typical of the Galleria Ferrari; it ties the 612 Scaglietti's features and performance to the long history of Ferrari excellence.

For those guests who just have to try out a real Ferrari, the Galleria provides the next best thing. Two Formula 1 simulators give would-be racing drivers the "live" Ferrari experience. Those who would rather shop than drive will enjoy the souvenir gallery near the museum's main entrance.

Galleria Ferrari provides a welcome change from Italy's famed art, architecture and churches. It gives visitors a chance to look behind the scenes and see the proud Ferrari heritage. Italians look toward the future as well as at their illustrious past; Galleria Ferrari celebrates past victories and highlights future possibilities.

Practicalities:

The museum is open from 9:30 A. M. to 6:00 P. M. daily. Admission is 12 euro for adults and 7 euro for children. Audio guides are available. Galleria Ferrari has ample parking.

Ferrari operates a separate store, with a larger souvenir selection, several blocks from the museum. Prices match Ferrari's image, but these two shops are the only places official Ferrari merchandise is sold.

Galleria Ferrari's website, www.galleria.ferrari.com, provides up-to-date information and driving directions in both Italian and English.