Modena's legendary pastry shop since 1836, most famous for the Torta Barozzi—a dense, flourless chocolate cake with almonds and coffee that has been made to the same secret recipe since 1886.
Pasticceria Gollini at Via Farini 12 in central Modena, Emilia-Romagna, has been making pastries since 1836 and is most famous as the birthplace and home of the Torta Barozzi—a dense, flourless chocolate cake made to a recipe that has been in production since 1886 and is protected as a trade secret. The cake is named after Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, the Modena-born Renaissance architect, and is made from dark chocolate, ground almonds, unsweetened coffee, and rum in proportions that are known only to the Gollini family. The result is a remarkably intense, fudge-textured confection with a thin chocolate glaze—entirely different in character from the airy chocolate torte common in Italian pastry shops. Torta Barozzi is sold whole (in sizes from small to large), by the slice, and as individual portions; it travels exceptionally well and is the single most distinctive edible souvenir of Modena. The pasticceria also produces a rotating selection of traditional Modenese pastries: ricciarelli-style almond biscuits, torta di riso, and seasonal specialities for Christmas and Easter. The café at the front serves espresso and cappuccino in the standard Italian manner. The shop has the atmosphere of a working confectionery rather than a luxury boutique—staff are brisk, the cases are full, and the clientele moves quickly.
Signature dishes
- Torta Barozzi (whole) — €18
- Espresso — €1.20
- Assorted pastries — €1.50-2.50
Good to know
- Known for
- Famous Torta Barozzi—Modena's most iconic dessert
- Hours
- Mon-Sat 8AM-8PM; Sun 9AM-1PM
Location
Via Farini 12, 41121 Modena
44.6476, 10.9246 View on map
Highlights
- Torta Barozzi—Modena's most iconic dessert—made to a secret recipe unchanged since 1886 and sold exclusively here
- Pasticceria operating continuously since 1836, one of the oldest in Emilia-Romagna
- Dense, flourless chocolate cake with almonds, coffee, and rum: entirely distinct from conventional Italian chocolate torte
- Torta Barozzi travels well and is Modena's most distinctive edible souvenir—available whole or by the slice
- Traditional Modenese pastries alongside the signature cake, including almond biscuits and seasonal specialities
Tips for visiting
- Buy a whole small Torta Barozzi to take home—it keeps for several days and is far superior to any pastry available elsewhere in Modena
- Visit in the morning when the pastry cases are freshest and the café is quietest before the midday rush
- Ask for a slice of Torta Barozzi to eat at the bar with espresso before committing to a whole cake
- The shop is closed on Sundays afternoon and public holidays; verify hours in advance if visiting on a non-weekday
- Torta Barozzi portions come gift-boxed—useful as a souvenir from the Via Emilia food trail that connects Modena, Parma, and Bologna
Accessibility
Pasticceria Gollini is at ground level on Via Farini with a flat entrance from the pavement. The shop interior has a straightforward layout accessible at entry level. Wheelchair access to the serving counter and café area is feasible.
Frequently asked questions
What are the ingredients of Torta Barozzi?
The full recipe is a protected trade secret. Publicly known ingredients include dark chocolate, ground almonds, coffee, rum, eggs, and sugar. There is no flour in the recipe, giving the cake its distinctive dense, fudge-like texture.
Can Torta Barozzi be purchased to take on a flight?
Yes. The cake is sold in sealed, gift-boxed packaging that is suitable for airline carry-on. It keeps well for five to seven days at room temperature and longer when refrigerated.
Is Pasticceria Gollini open on Sundays?
The pasticceria is typically open Sunday morning until early afternoon. Full hours are Monday through Saturday 8 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday 9 AM to 1 PM. Hours may vary seasonally.
Where is Pasticceria Gollini in Modena?
The address is Via Farini 12, in central Modena a short walk from the Piazza Grande and the Duomo, and minutes from Osteria Francescana and the Albinelli market.