The Palazzina dei Giardini is a graceful pavilion in the former Este ducal gardens, built as a courtly retreat rather than a grand palace. Its arcaded facade and garden setting make it one of Modena's quieter architectural pleasures, a short walk from the Palazzo Ducale and the busier streets around Piazza Grande.
Today the building is used by Modena's civic art institutions for temporary exhibitions, often with a contemporary focus. It is not a must-see on the level of the cathedral or the Galleria Estense, but it earns its place if you like smaller gallery spaces and want to see how the old ducal city has been folded into modern cultural life.