The church of San Domenico was built on the site where the Preaching Friars had built their ancient church dedicated to Saint Matthew around 1243. The church became the church of the court when, the Este family arrived in Modena and made it the capital of their Duchy. The church at one time was linked to the castle by an overpass around 1620. The old building was demolished sometime between 1707 and 1708, but the stonework was used for the present church.
