University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

The medieval university disappeared by 1338 and was replaced by "three public lectureships" which did not award degrees and were suspended in the 1590s "for lack of money".

Between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when the Court of Este settled in Ferrara, academic titles were no longer awarded, and the activities of the Studium were greatly reduced.

Only after the Court moved to Modena in 1772 did the university regain its original splendour and academic prestige, receiving an imperial charter from Duke Francis II.

The university offered multiple disciplines, including law, medicine and surgery, pharmacy, and mathematical, physical, and natural sciences.

In fact, Reggio Emilia already had an ancient and noble tradition of university studies which ended in 1772 following the reform of Duke Francis II of Este.