Mantua

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Mantua (Mantova) is a city in Lombardy, located in the southeast of the region and surrounded on three sides by artificial lakes along the Mincio river. Founded in prehistoric times, Mantua was then a Roman city, and the birthplace of poet Virgil. During the Late Middle Ages the city was contested between local powers, until it was taken by the House of Gonzaga in the 14th century. The Gonzaga ruled over the Duchy of Mantua until 1708 and the city became an important center for arts and culture. Between the 18th and 19th century Mantua was ruled by Austria, later France, and then Austria again, before becoming part of Italy in 1866. Mantua is now known as a cultural center featuring many medieval and Renaissance attractions and artworks.

✪ Ducal Palace of Mantua

The Ducal Palace of Mantua (Palazzo Ducale di Mantova) is a large architectural complex built between the 13th and 18th century, which formerly served as the residence of the Gonzaga family that ruled over the Duchy of Mantua. The most famous area of the palace is the Castle of San Giorgio, a medieval castle surrounded by a moat. The castle features four imposing towers and numerous richly decorated halls. The most notable of these is the Camera degli Sposi, a room with walls entirely covered by an elaborate cycle of frescoes painted by Mantegna in the 15th century. The oldest building of the complex is Palazzo del Capitano, a palace facing Piazza Sordello built between the 13th and 14th century and flanked by the Magna Domus, erected around the same time. Both buildings host numerous decorated halls which feature frescoes by Pisanello, historic tapestries, and the Studiolo of Isabella d’Este, a study housing several ancient and Renaissance artworks. The areas of the Domus Nova and Corte Nuova were added later and also host numerous frescoes and artworks. Part of the complex is also the 16th-century Palatine Basilica of Santa Barbara (Basilica Palatina di Santa Barbara). Various gardens and courtyards are located between the different areas of the palace. The complex also houses the National Archaeological Museum of Mantua (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Mantova), which among a rich collection of local finds, hosts the Lovers of Valdaro (Amanti di Valdaro), a pair of 6,000-year-old human skeletons hugging each other.

✪ Palazzo Te

Palazzo Te is a Renaissance palace located at the southern outskirts of Mantua. Erected during the 16th century, it was designed by Giulio Romano, and it is considered one of the greatest examples of Mannerist architecture. The palace features a large courtyard and a decorated facade, but it is best known for its many richly frescoed halls. The most remarkable of these are the Sala dei Giganti and the Sala di Amore e Psiche, both painted by Giulio Romano. Part of the palace hosts the Civic Museum of Palazzo Te (Museo Civico di Palazzo Te), a museum featuring a numismatic collection, various modern artworks, and some ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian artifacts.

Mantua Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of San Pietro Apostolo

The Mantua Cathedral (Duomo di Mantova) is a historic church in Mantua, facing Piazza Sordello. The church was built starting in the 14th century over a previous site of worship, and was later reworked. The structure features a blend of Romanesque and Gothic style, with a Baroque facade. The church features numerous artworks and decorations, and it houses the tombs of various illustrious personalities linked with the city of Mantua.

Piazza Sordello

Piazza Sordello is a large square in Mantua, surrounded by historic buildings. While the Mantua Cathedral and the Ducal Palace dominate one side of the square, the opposite side features the medieval Palazzo Bonacolsi and the 13th-century tower called Torre della Gabbia.

Basilica of Sant’Andrea

The Basilica of Sant’Andrea is a large Renaissance church in Mantua. Erected starting in the 15th century, it was designed by Leon Battista Alberti and it was only completed in the 18th century. The church features a monumental facade and a decorated bell tower, while its interiors house several frescoes and artworks. One of the chapels in the church houses the tomb of Andrea Mantegna, and it is adorned with frescoes painted by Correggio. The crypt of the basilica hosts a relic of what is believed to be the blood of Jesus Christ.

Palazzo della Ragione

Palazzo della Ragione is a historic palace in Mantua, erected around the 13th century and facing Piazza delle Erbe. The palace used to house the local judicial administration and now it hosts exhibitions and events. Palazzo della Ragione is flanked by the 13th-century Palazzo del Podestà on one side, and the Renaissance Clock Tower (Torre dell’Orologio) on the other side.

Rotonda of San Lorenzo

The Rotonda of San Lorenzo is a Romanesque church located next to Palazzo della Ragione in Mantua. Built during the 11th century, the church was later closed and then restored in the 20th century. The building has a central plan and it features a matroneum and some medieval frescoes.

Francesco Gonzaga Diocesan Museum

The Francesco Gonzaga Diocesan Museum (Museo Diocesano Francesco Gonzaga) is a museum of religious art hosted in a palace facing Piazza Virgiliana in Mantua. Its collection includes various paintings and sculptures, as well as coins, ceramics, tapestries, armors, and numerous religious objects.

Piazza Virgiliana

Piazza Virgiliana is a large square and park in Mantua. Originally a swamp, it was turned into a garden during the Napoleonic occupation. The park features a large 20th-century monument to Roman poet Virgil, who was born near Mantua.

Teatro Bibiena

Teatro Bibiena is an 18th-century theater in Mantua. The building was intended to host both theatrical productions and scientific conventions, and it is adorned with elaborate decorations. In 1770, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was thirteen at the time, played a concert here.

Palazzo d’Arco

Palazzo d’Arco is an 18th-century Neoclassical palace now serving as a museum. Its collection includes various historic paintings, furnishings, and artworks, as well as a large library. The palace also features some frescoed halls.

Church of San Francesco

The Church of San Francesco is a Romanesque and Gothic church erected in Mantua in the 14th century. Abandoned in the 18th century, it was later used as an arsenal and it was heavily damaged during World War II. The church was later restored and, luckily, the medieval frescoes inside the Gonzaga Chapel (Cappella Gonzaga) were saved. This chapel houses 14th-century frescoes and the burials of some members of the House of Gonzaga.

Tazio Nuvolari and Learco Guerra Museum

The Tazio Nuvolari and Learco Guerra Museum (Museo Tazio Nuvolari e Learco Guerra) is a sports museum hosted in a former church in Mantua. The museum houses various memorabilia of local racing driver Tazio Nuvolari and cyclist Learco Guerra, both champions in their sports.

Casa del Mantegna

The Casa del Mantegna is a 15th-century building designed by Andrea Mantegna, which lived and worked in this palace for a few years. The palace has a square plan and features a circular internal courtyard. After serving various uses over the centuries, now it hosts art exhibitions and events.

Church of San Sebastiano

The Church of San Sebastiano is a 15th-century church initially designed by Leon Battista Alberti and later reworked. After being abandoned, the church was restored in the 20th century, and turned into a memorial dedicated to fallen soldiers.

City Museum of Palazzo San Sebastiano

The City Museum of Palazzo San Sebastiano (Museo della Città di Palazzo San Sebastiano) is an art and history museum housed in a 16th-century palace in Mantua. The museum houses some artworks and it features various exhibits on the history of the city, including a section dedicated to the Italian Risorgimento.