Symbol of the Renaissance, in 2008 Mantova has been declared Unesco Heritage and, in 2016, it was elected has Culture Capital. Given the huge amounts of things to be seen in the city, we selected the 10 ones that deserve to be visited.
Symbol of Renaissance: Visiting Mantova
05Mag’19
San Pietro Capital, Mantova Cathedral
Known as Mantova Dome, the Cathedral; dedicated to San Pietro was built under Constantine and renew in the following centuries with a Gothic footprint before and Mannerist after. Among the big artists which contributed in making it the amazing architectural and historical jewel, we have Jacobello and Piepaolo dalle Masegne and the architect Giulio Romano.
Palazzo Ducale, Reggia dei Gonzaga
With its 500 frescoed rooms, the Ducale Palace is one of the historical building of the city. Residence of Gonzaga family, Mantova Dukes until 1700, the Palace is a complex of amazing buildings which have been constructed from XII and XVII centuries. Extended for over 34 square meters between Lago Inferiore and Palazzo Sordello, it includes also la Corte Vecchia, the Domus Nova and San Giorgio Castle.
Rigoletto House
Located in Sordello Square, there is this small construction dated 1400 known as Rigoletto House, the jester of Gonzaga Court, which became famous in 1851 thanks to the homonymous opera of Giuseppe Verdi. The house is a jewel of Mantova: from its garden, the bronze statue of the sad jester stands out.
San Giorgio Castle
Symbol of the power of Gonzaga Family, San Giorgio Castle was built in 1395 based on a project of Bartolino da Novara. The building keeps at its interiors amazing and huge rooms, as the ones of the Affreschi degli Stemmi and the famous Camera degli Sposi, totally frescoed by the Mantegna in the XV Century, which is considered the most beautifulroom in the world.
Palazzo Te
Built following the will of Federico II Gonzaga, which yearned a house for its faults and entertainments, Palazzo Te is one of the most amazing villas of Mantova. Created by Guilio Romano around 1525 on an island named Teieto, the Palace is famous for its interiors: among the operas, we find the Sala dei Giganti with the fresco Caduta dei Giganti.
Museo Archeologico Nazionale
Neolithic, Etruscan, Roman, Celtic and renaissance material coming from Mantova’s territory: this is what you can admire in Museo Archeologico Nazionale located in Castello Square. In 2007 in the archeological area of Valdaro there have been found Etruscan relics of two lovers. The bodies have been found hugged one to each other in the same tomb.
Rotonda di San Lorenzo
Built in the XI Century, the Rotonda di San Lorenzo is the ancient church of the city and has been ordered by Matidle di Canossa, one of the most influent character of Middle Age. Inspired by the Holy Sepulcre of Jerusalem, the church is dedicated to San Lorenzo Martydrom.
The natural landscape along Mincio
Mincio river born in Peschiera del Garda and continues until Viareggio, bathing Mantova. In this big valley the river creates one of the most suggestive Natural Reserve of Italy: the Mincio Valleys.
Sabbioneta
Small jewel created by Vespasiano Gonzaga in 1531, Sabbioneta is a good belonging to Unesco Heritage and perfect example of the town with a romantic identity and a huge historical value. Called “small Atene”, Sabbioneta hosts Palazzo del Giardino, Teatro all’Antica and the Chiesa dell’Incoronata with its statue of Vespasiano.