Mantova, the capital of Matilde di
Canossa and of the Gonzaga family, is an enchanted island surrounded by three lakes formed by the Mincio.
The monumental scenography of the Gonzaga period, the marvelous
frescos of the Mantegna family, the splendid inventions of Giulio Romano in the Tea Palace, the
churches; the patrician houses narrate the history.
A few kilometers from Mantova,
we can admire the beautiful Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine alle Grazie,
the Benedictine Abbey of Polirone,
in San Benedetto Po,
the small village parishes, and the old courts.
Mirage in the fertile
countryside is Sabbioneta,
the "small Athens" of Vespasiano
Gonzaga.
Mantova history
According to
legend the town was founded by the soothsayer Manto when he fled from Thebes;
Mantua enters history with the Etruscans. It goes from Roman rule to the
barbarian invasions until, around 1000 A.D. it becomes part of the feudal
dominions of the Canossa.
It becomes a free commune in the XII and XIII
centuries, continuing to grow while the unhealthy marsh by which it surrounded
is drained and reclaimed. In 1237 Pinamonte Bonacolsi comes to power and
consolidates its economic prosperity until 1328, when control passes to Luigi
Gonzaga, founder of the dynasty to which Mantua owes most of its artistic
beauty. It is, in fact, under Gonzaga rule that Mantua becomes notably more
important politically, enjoys economic prosperity and is acknowledged as a
primary center of culture and Renaissance art.
The family residence soon
becomes one of the largest and most magnificent palaces in Europe.
Mantegna
frescos the bride and bridegroom's bedroom, L.B.Alberti designs the churches of
Saint Andrew and Saint Sebastian and Giulio Romano builds the Palazzo del Te.
Damaged by the War of Succession, decimated by the plague, the city declines
rapidly.
The Gonzaga dynasty falls in 1707 and the city passes into the hands of
the Austrians. In 1866 Mantua becomes part of the Italian State.
Mantova attractions
Renowned for its architectural splendor and medieval
charm, Mantua is a town rich in history and ducal splendor, the city of
Virgil, greatest of Roman poets, of Mantegna, among the best Renaissance
painters, of the Gonzaga, one of the most remarkable of Italian princely
families, situated on the River Mincio, Milton’s “smooth-sliding Mincius,
crowned with vocal reeds”.
The Ducal Palace
and Palazzo Te are the two main attractions of a cultural
itinerary in town, identified by the image of the salamander.
Leaving the castle, Castello di San Giorgio, one enters Piazza Sordello, which is, together with its
surroundings, the original center of the town.
The square is
dominated by the vast portico "facade" of the Ducal
Palace (which comprises Palazzo del Capitano and the Magna Domus), the Cathedral and, on the right, the Bishop’s
Palace, the UbertiPalace and
the CastiglioniPalace.
Going under the archway, Voltone di San Pietro,
walking along the Renaissance porticos in Piazza Broletto one can see the Palazzo del Podesta'.
Through the Sottoportico dei Lattonai, one enters Piazza Erbe where the other side of the
palace can be seen; the square, the liveliest in the historic
center, is dominated by the Palazzo della Ragione, with its adjoining Clock Tower and by the Rotonda di San Lorenzo, while in the nearby Piazza Mantegna, the imposing facade of the Basilica di Sant'Andrea dominates the scene.
Walking towards the second attraction of this itinerary, Mantegna's House, the Tempio and
Palazzo di San Sebastiano can be seen before reaching Palazzo Te, the masterpiece of Giulio Romano.
It becomes a free commune in the XII and XIII
centuries, continuing to grow while the unhealthy marsh by which it surrounded
is drained and reclaimed. In 1237 Pinamonte Bonacolsi comes to power and
consolidates its economic prosperity until 1328, when control passes to Luigi
Gonzaga, founder of the dynasty to which Mantua owes most of its artistic
beauty. It is, in fact, under Gonzaga rule that Mantua becomes notably more
important politically, enjoys economic prosperity and is acknowledged as a
primary center of culture and Renaissance art.
Mantegna
frescos the bride and bridegroom's bedroom, L.B.Alberti designs the churches of
Saint Andrew and Saint Sebastian and Giulio Romano builds the Palazzo del Te. 
Palazzo Te - Photo © 
