Maranello is a small town located 18km near Modena in northern Italy. Going there from Bologna, there is no need to drive through the ”autostrada” (highway). Chose a normal road and enjoy the trip through picturesque villages and small beautiful towns such as Viniola the city of the cherries. We drove to Maranello one evening and as we were entering the town we heard familiar engine noises. On the right -the direction of the noise- I realized some people trying to to give an eye behind a fence by the road.

Behind that fence it was Fiorano’s test track and some circuits were taking place there. This is not something unusual in Maranello as this is the hometown of the legendary Italian motor company of Ferrari. Just opposite this private track owned by Ferrari for its car testing, Ferrari’s factory is located since the early 1940s. The bombed Scuderia Ferrari garage in Modena had been Enzo’s base before Ferrari’s departure from Alfa Romeo. Initially the factory in Maranello was also the base of Auto Avio Construzioni, a machine tool manufacturing company started by Enzo.

The factory

Across the street are the Ferrari restaurant and the official Formula One shop. Though is almost impossible for a single traveler to visit the factory don’t be disappointed, just follow the signs and easily your feet will lead you to “Galleria Ferrari”, a museum of the company which attracts about 200.000 visitors each year.

It was late in the evening and the doors of the museum were about to close, so we checked into a hotel and later we had a walk along the streets of the small town. The walk ended -what a surprise- in a pizzeria. A crowded enough place I have to confess. All around the tables, members of the motor company were enjoining their meal still wearing their colorful suits. To be honest I found it a little “kitsch” but probably this must be a common scene there as the presence of Ferrari is everywhere.