Famous people from the city of mantova. Undiscovered Italy: Mantua
Mantova(Italian Mantova) is a city sung by many famous poets and writers. Virgil and Charles Baudelaire, Dante and Charles Dickens admired its romantic atmosphere, ancient monuments, calm waters of the Mincio River and surrounding lakes, and sincerity and benevolence. local residents.
First the land of the Etruscans, then the stronghold of the ancient Romans, Mantova has undergone great changes over time. In the twelfth century, to provide the city with water, four artificial lakes were created around the city, fed by the Mincio River, which turned Mantua into an island city.
In the seventeenth century, due to constant floods, the outskirts of Mantua gradually turned into swamps. To restore the city, one of the lakes was drained, so Mantua was surrounded by water on only three sides. AT upper lake lotus flowers, characteristic of the East, were planted; here they found a suitable habitat and quickly filled the lake. And Lake "Mezzo" and the Lower Lake were overgrown with water chestnuts, in the shade of which many tourists and local residents still rest, watching the calmness of the water surface.
Mantua is the capital of the province of the same name in the South East and has approximately 55,000 inhabitants. Mantova is not at all like a metropolitan city, overflowing with bustle and noise. The city seems to have captured in the centuries the strict character that a military fortified city was supposed to have (Mantova was it for almost two centuries).
The symbol of Mantua is the solemn calm of nature that surrounds it. This is a city that you immediately feel sympathy for: the streets here are mostly large, spacious, always clean and tidy, and the buildings, as a rule, are not too high, simple, elegant and well-maintained.
Walking around the city, and, from time to time, stopping to look around, you can notice thousands of details that make this city so hospitable. The heaviness of the Roman ruins, the superb majesty of the Renaissance buildings, the echoes of the power of Bonacolsi and the splendor of Gonzaga, "soften" the Benedictine churches and quiet cozy lanes of the periphery, which fascinate the visitor, especially in the morning hours.
Mantova
Mantova is a city that you will fall in love with at first sight, quiet and peaceful, which always has something to offer the visitor and where you always want to return.
How to get to Mantua
By plane
The closest airports to Mantua are:
Mantua - Monselice - Padua
By bus
Mantua can be reached by one of intercity buses coming from the main cities of Italy.
On a ferryboat
You can get to Mantua by water, across the river Mincho. The service is provided by the agency Motonavi Andes.
Where to stay in Mantua
In addition to all of the above, we advise you to visit the Palazzo d "Arco, located on the square of the same name, the Palazzo San Sebastiano, the residence of Francesco II Gonzaga, where today the city museum is located, the churches of San Francesco, St. Barnabas and San Sebastiano (Famedio) and the ancient towers of the city.
What to try in Mantua
The city of Gonzaga is famous not only for its artistic beauties and natural landscapes, but also for its amazingly delicious food and fine wines.
Below you will find a list of dishes that you really must try if you travel to the only province in all of Italy that produces both Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano at the same time.
Pork is the undisputed "star" among the local "antipasti", i.e. meat snacks. Be sure to try the Mantua salami with allspice and garlic, as well as the spalla cotta. For gourmets, if you're a meat lover and you're close to the Sabbioneta quarter, the Corte Bondeno restaurant offers you a selection of meat dishes that will leave you speechless.
As we have already noted, Mantua is the only city in Italy where Grana Padano and Parmigiano are produced at the same time: enjoy these cheeses accompanied by Mostarda di Mele mustard, which is prepared according to the old Gonzaga recipe only here.
Mostarda di mele. Photo robysushi.com
FIRST MEAL:
It goes without saying that when in Mantua you "must" eat a plate of handmade pumpkin ravioli. Although this is a traditional Christmas Eve dish, you can find them any day of the year in any restaurant or tavern in the city.
Two other dishes not to be missed are agnoli stuffed with pork, usually served in broth, and alla pilota risotto with pesto and sausages.
SECOND DISHES:
What to eat for the second? The best choice is donkey stew "Stracotto d'Azino".
Donkey stew is usually served with soft polenta or as a pasta sauce. The stew is made after marinating donkey meat for a long time in Lambrusco and boiled until the meat is so soft that it can be eaten without the use of a knife, in short, until it is "straccotto", "overcooked".
Seafood lovers can choose from lake fish, we recommend trying pike with sauce.
The most famous sweet dish in Manua is "Sbrisolona", a dessert made from cornmeal, almonds and butter. Yes, a little high in calories, but too tasty to deprive yourself of it!
Try the Helvetia cake, which, although not considered a traditional Mantua dessert, has been made here since 1700.
Holidays in Mantua and the province
February
Mantova, like many cities in Italy, celebrates carnival: on this day in many provincial towns hand out "gnocchi" and carnival sweets. And in the city of Castell d'Ario they organize a big spaghetta dinner.
March, April
Easter in Mantua is celebrated with a procession in historical costumes. Don't miss the traditional Easter celebration in Schivenoglia.
Roncoferraro Rodigo celebrates the patron saint of San Bernardino.
June
In June, they celebrate the Feast of St. Peter and Paul in Viadana and the traditional rice festival in the town of Willimpent.
July
The most popular events of the month are the Vadana fair and the feast of the patron saint Governolo, which is accompanied by a huge enogastronomy fair where you can enjoy many good local dishes such as risotto, sausages, polenta and fish.
August
In August, there is a festival "sacro e profano" in Curtatone and a unique re-enactment "game of "live" chess" in Ponti sul Mincio. The city of Mantua also hosts an August fair during which dozens of artists from different countries of the world are decorated with asphalt, turning the square into a huge work of art. The event is called "Concordo Madonnari".
Concordo Madonnari. Photo flickr.com
September
Among the events of September, we note the grape festival, which is held in the city, as well as the Gonzaga Millennium Fair, with performances, food and wine, which has been repeated annually since the distant 1640.
November
Don't miss the feast of Our Lady of Dosso in Casalmoro, a feast that is also known as the chicken festival.
Mantova. Italy.
– ancient city in the region of Lombardy.Mantua was founded by the Etruscans in the 6th century. BC. But the city reached its maximum prosperity during the time of the signoria under the control of Gonzaga, i.e. in 1328-1707 Gonzaga is one of the most famous and influential families of the Italian Renaissance. The Gonzagas were first Signoras of Mantua, then Marquises, and then Dukes.
Gongaz's policy was to protect the borders and maintain a peaceful balance between powerful neighbors: the Republic of Venice, Milan and Ferrara.
Since 1708, Mantua fell under the rule of the Austrians. In 1797, the city was captured by Napoleon's troops.
The Congress of Vienna in 1815 returned Mantua to the Austrians.
In 1866 the city became part of the united Italy.
Modern Mantua is alive and tourist town, it is picturesquely surrounded by lakes.
Such a water system developed in the 12th century, when the architect and engineer Alberto Pitentino proposed to organize the defense of the city using the Mincio River. So four lakes appeared around the residential center - Superiore, Mezzo, Inferiore and Piolo, making Mantua an island that was connected to the "mainland" by two bridges.
From the railway station we will walk along the avenue Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, which leads Piazza Andrea Mantegna. Meets us here Basilica of St. Andrew (Basilica di Sant "Andrea), erected according to the project of Leon Battista Alberti in 1472. After 328 years, the dome was built according to the drawings of Filippo Yuvarra.
The crypt contains sacred vases with the blood of Christ, which was brought to Mantua by the Roman centurion Longinus.
Longinus, on the orders of Pilate, pierced the side of Christ with a spear, at that moment there was an eclipse of the sun and an earthquake, and the centurion believed in Christ. In addition, Longinus ran his hand, stained with the blood of Christ, over his sore eyes, and they became healthy. The legend tells that Longinus brought the collected blood to his hometown.
In one of the aisles of the basilica buried painter Andrea Mantegna who died at Mantua in 1506.
To the right of the basilica extends Grass Square (Piazza delle Erbe), which takes its name from the fruit and vegetable market located here.
flower market on the square.
The oldest building of the square and the city - round church of San Lorenzo.
Church of San Lorenzo and the Clock Tower.
Church of St. Lorenzo (Rotonda di San Lorenzo) was built in the XI century. by order of Matilda di Canossa, traces of Byzantine frescoes have been preserved inside. Matilda di Canossa was a powerful and influential woman of the Middle Ages, it was she who acted as an intermediary between Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV, who was excommunicated and so humiliatingly asked for forgiveness.
Interior of the church of San Lorenzo.
Next to the church rises the Clock Tower, dating back to the 15th century. The clock also shows the phases of the moon and which zodiac constellation the sun is in.
Clock.
We move on to Sordello Square.
On the Piazza Sordello the main buildings of Mantua are concentrated.
Entering the square through the arch, opens beautiful view on the Cathedral, made in the Gothic style.
Under the main altar is the body of St. Anselm da Baggio, the patron saint of Mantua.
To the right of the cathedral ducal palace- the urban residence of the Gozaga family, a huge complex consisting of a labyrinth of rooms and corridors.
Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale). Piazza Sordello, 4
Closed January 1, May 1, December 25 and Mondays.
Open 8.45 – 19.15. Ticket 6.5 euros.
Curious rooms called "dwarf apartments" where everything is done in miniature size. But in fact, dwarfs never lived here: it was a symbolic reconstruction.
Definitely worth mentioning "bridal room" painted by Andrea Mantegna. The artist depicted the Gonzaga family portrait and scenes from the court life of Mantua. The ceiling fresco depicting a round gallery in the very center of the vault with people looking through the railing is, in fact, the first illusionistic decoration in Western European art. Skillfully painted clouds further enhance the impression of a breakthrough into the sky.
lived here Isabella d'Este- the most famous Marquise of Mantua. Isabella d'Este was born in Ferrara, she was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Ferrara and the older sister of the equally famous Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan. Isabella d'Este received a good education and at the age of 16 she married 25-year-old Francesco II Gonzaga. Isabella d'Este was beautiful, intelligent, well-read and witty. She was fond of art and patronized artists and poets. Leonardo da Vinci, Andrea Mantegna, Perugino, Correggio, Ticin, Rafael and others visited her palace.
Isabella d'Este loved jewelry and knew how to dress tastefully. Beautiful and stylish, she quickly became the "first woman" of the Renaissance. At the same time, the English writer Henry Morton, a subtle observer and tireless researcher of historical characters, notes that Isabella d'Este was arrogant , a penetrating and bitchy woman who did not help the dying poor Mantegna, but bargained with him for a bust of Faustina. She went through art studios and swept away everything that she liked. And if it came to shopping, then Isabella d "Este wrote in an orderly tone to find her an animal skin with a head for a muff.
When her husband Francesco died in 1519, Isabella's eldest son Federico succeeded to the throne. But he was still small, so Isabella d "Este became regent and continued to rule the country. During this time, Mantua's position strengthened.
Isabella d'Este died 20 years later, she was buried in the Church of St. Paul in Mantua, but her remains disappeared from the grave.
ducal palace
At the end of Piazza Sordello is Rigoletto's house- the character of the Verdi opera of the same name. Art exhibitions are held in this building.
Let's turn right and see Castle of Saint George (Via San Giorgio), which was erected in 1395 to protect the city, but in 1459 the castle was transformed into the residence of Fancelli. Inside the castle was designed by Mantegna.
Let's walk along the fortress walls and the embankment, then turn right onto via Trieste.
After crossing the canal, turn right onto via Gilberto Goi, then left to via Massari and right to via XX Settembre, which leads to Piazza Martiri di Belfiore. Previously, a church stood on the square along with the post office building, but it was destroyed. The only thing left of the church is the statue of the Saint, installed on the bridge. The entire area was rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century. Let's walk towards the Fish Market, covered with a row of porticos. Here they traded fish caught in the lakes and brought to the market along the canals in boats. On the other side were butcher shops.
Let's continue our route via G. Chiassi.
At the crossroads with via Poma located St. Barnab's Church. The modern building dates back to the 18th century, and the first news about the church dates back to 1268. Giulio Romano was buried in the church, but his tomb has been lost.
Let's go through via Poma.
Where the street widens on the left will Giulio Romano's house, erected in 1544, but later rebuilt. Above the entrance doors there is a statue of Mercury and a ram - this is the coat of arms of the Giulio Romano family. Now the house is privately owned and cannot be visited.
The real name of the brilliant architect, painter and draftsman was Giulio Pippi, the nickname Romano meant "Roman", because. he was born in Rome. Giulio Romano was one of Raphael's most talented students. Under the direction of Raphael, he worked on frescoes in the Vatican and at the Villa Farnesina in Rome, he also painted a number of paintings and completed many of the unfinished works of his teacher.
In 1524, Giulio Romano came to Mantua at the invitation of the Marquis Federico II Gonzaga. He was appointed chief architect of the palace buildings of Gonzaga. In Mantua, Giulio Romano painted frescoes for the ducal palace depicting scenes from the myth of Diana and from the history of the Trojan War. But the main creation was the Palazzo Te, to which we are going. Giulio Romano died in Mantua on November 1, 1546.
At the intersection with via Giovanni Acerbi let's turn right.
Let's go ahead and see on the right side the dominant Church of Saint Sebastian, erected in 1460 according to the project of Leon Battista Alberti. Later, a warehouse was arranged in the church, but at the beginning of the 19th century. again for religious purposes.
Church of Saint Sebastian
Almost opposite the church is a red-brick house number 47, known as house Mantegna.
Andrea Mantegna was a court painter from 1457 and the Marquis Ludovic Gonzaga gave him a piece of land. The red brick house with a unique cylindrical courtyard can be visited.
It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 15.00 to 18.00. Admission is free if there are no exhibitions.
Let's cross Viale Risorgimento and viale Isonzo, where there are two portals with Eagles. From here begins garden belonging to Te Palace. An alley surrounded by trees leads to Palazzo Te, which is another symbol of Mantua.
The palace was erected in 1525-35. Giulio Romano for Federico Gonzaga. The quadrangular palace is located on an island formed by a canal. The canal was surrounded by gardens, fountains, statues, and trees, with Te Palace in the center.
In subsequent centuries, the palace was used as a barracks. Gardens, fountains and statues were destroyed. Why do soldiers need them?
Te Palace
The palace was later restored. Now there is a museum with eight rooms where you can admire the works of Giulio Romano and other artists.
Cuisine of Mantua
Mantovana- typical Mantua round bread made from soft wheat.
Sorbir d "agnoli or bevr" in vin- soup, in the broth of which wine is added, and then pasta or tortelli, for example, with pumpkin (Tortelli di zucca).
Among the typical second courses, it is worth noting pike (luccio) and donkey or horse stew (Stracotto d "asino, Stracotto d" cavallo).
Dishes of Mantova cuisine.
Mantova is central city province of the same name in the region (Lombardia), located on the river Mincio (Mincio).
The city attracts travelers as the birthplace of the great ancient poet Virgil (Publius Vergilius Maro), as well as the city where the artist Pieter Paul Rubens began his path to greatness at the court of the Gonzaga family.
AT prehistoric times Etruscan and Gallic tribes lived in the province of Mantua. After 220 B.C. the settlement was included.
The city was built in the Middle Ages as impregnable fortress, which had a quadrangular shape with towers at the corners, surrounded by river waters, lakes and swamps. From the 11th century, the lands belonged to Boniface III of Tuscany (Canossa, Bonifacio III di Canossa). In 1167 the city acquired the status of a republic and entered the union of free cities of Lombardy. From 1269 to 1328, the Bonacolsi family seized control in Mantua. It was during this period that many buildings appeared, which are now the decoration of the city. Since 1328, the city was ruled by representatives of the Gonzaga family, who were famous connoisseurs of art and patrons of the arts.
Since 1708, the territory passed to the Habsburg (Habsburger) family. During the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleone Buonaparte) from 1810 to 1814, Mantua belonged to France (France), and from 1814 to 1866 - Austria (Österreich). Only in 1866 the city returned to the Italian Republic (Repubblica Italiana).
Attractions
Since 2008, the historic quarters of Mantua have been under the protection of UNESCO as a monument of art (Rinascimento). There are many ancient cultural and educational buildings in Mantua, two of the most famous are:
- Virgil Academy (accademia di Virgilio), which still occupies pride of place in the ranking educational institutions Europe (L'europa);
- City Library, founded in 1780 by order of Maria Theresia of Austria;
Theater designed by Antonio Bibiena at the direction of Maria Theresa, at the opening of which Mozart played.
Monuments to great compatriots have been erected in Mantua: Virgil, (Dante Alighieri) and other poets.
Walking along the streets and bridges of the city will introduce travelers to a rare ensemble of medieval public buildings and churches.
Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Paul (Cattedrale di San Paolo), founded in the 13th century and rebuilt during restoration work in the middle of the 16th century, designed by the architect Giulio Romano, is located in Piazza Sordello. In the cathedral you can see a marble sarcophagus made by an unknown master of the 5th-6th centuries.
Here are also the relics of St. Anselm, revered by the Italians (Sant'Anselmo), the tombs of the famous medieval rulers of Mantua:
- Ferdinando Gonzaga;
- Ercole Gonzaga and others.
Palazzo Ducale, founded in the 13th century, impresses with its size and interior decoration. Numerous halls, gardens, courtyards make the building majestic and unique. The palazzo was built from the 13th to the 15th centuries as the residence of the Gonzaga family.
The palace houses valuable paintings and tapestries, sculptures and other works of art.
The construction of the castle (Castello San Giorgio) took place in 1395-1406, it is distinguished by fortified towers on four sides of the building. The castle preserves valuable frescoes by Andrea Mantegna.
Palazzo del Te, designed by Giulio Romano, was built in 10 years, in 1525/35. The principles of such a direction as mannerism determined the richness of the interior decoration of this country house. The palace has preserved wall paintings by Giulio Romano on the themes of myths and Ovid's Metamorphoses (Publius Ovidius Naso). In accordance with the themes of the painting, the halls got their names:
- Hall of the Giants (Sala dei giganti);
- Hall of Cupid and Psyche (Sala di Amore e Psiche);
- Hall of horses (Riunioni di cavalli);
- Hall of the Sun and Moon (Riunioni del Sole e della Luna), etc.
Now the Palazzo houses the City Museum of Mantua.
Cuisine and delicacies
Mantua is the city where the famous cheeses (Grana Padano) and (Parmigiano Reggiano), rare varieties of salami, mustard according to a secret local recipe are made.
Travelers should try local original dishes:
- handmade with pumpkin;
- with sauce (pesto) and spicy sausages;
- Ragout of donkey meat marinated in Lambrusco wine, etc.
Mantua is famous for sweets and unique ones.
Hotels
Mantova offers over 80 accommodation options. Most of them are in the center, which allows tourists to immerse themselves in the historical atmosphere of the monument city.
3 stars
3-star hotels offer accommodation at affordable prices in the very center of the city. A feature of the hotels is the availability of parking for an additional fee.
Hotel Broletto
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Where is
Mantua, the birthplace of the ancient Roman poet Virgil, is one of most beautiful cities Northern Italy. It is located in the Lombardy region and is the capital of the province of Mantua.
How to get to Mantua
It is most convenient to get here from. If you are traveling by car, the travel time will be about 40 minutes. You need to follow the Brenner highway (highway A 22), exits to "Mantova North". And if you are coming from Bologna, then "Mantua South". It is quite difficult to find parking in Mantua, so you need to leave the car in special parking lots outside the city, and then transfer to the bus. Or check into a hotel that provides parking services.
You can also get here by train. From Verona station to Mantua, the train takes 46 minutes. The cost of a trip on a regional train will be approximately 4 euros. It is better to buy tickets in advance on the website http://www.trenitalia.com (sometimes there are discounts), you can also find the train schedule there.
If you are coming from the airport, Parma or Bergamo not by car, you will have to use several types public transport making transplants.
Where to stay
You can arrive in the city of Mantua in one day, see all the sights and leave. If you want to stay one or more nights to take your time to see all the sights and immerse yourself in the rhythm of the city, then in the city you can find hotels for every taste and budget. AT cheap hotel the cost of one double room with breakfast can be 40-60 euros. Of course, it all depends on the season, the date of booking and hotel promotions.
What to see in Mantua
Mantova - very picturesque city due to the fact that it is surrounded on all sides by lakes. In the 12th century, it was decided to organize the defense of the city, using the river Mincio, on the banks of which stands Mantua. Thus, four artificial lakes were created. And this has become a real gift for local residents and tourists: in addition to the beauty of the lake, they give coolness on a hot summer day.
The city is very rich in attractions that have preserved their medieval appearance to this day, as if untouched by people and time for many centuries. The historic center of Mantua consists of four squares smoothly flowing into one another. With adjacent buildings and structures included in the list world heritage UNESCO. To the complex historical Center and is included main square- Sordello Square, on which the Ducal Palace, or Palazzo Ducale is located. The palace belonged to the rulers of the city - the Gonzaga family, which is associated with the main attractions of the city. Now the palace is a museum, on its territory you can relax in small parks and courtyards, accidentally get on enough large area. This is a whole complex, which you can enter by paying 12 euros in advance. It is advisable to take at least two hours to visit the palace.
Opposite is the episcopal palace - Palazzo Vescovile, as well as a palace very similar to the Palazzo Ducale, which belonged to the ruling dynasty of the Gonzaga family - Bonacolsi. On Sordello Square is Cathedral of the city - St. Peter's Cathedral, and you can also see the Cage Tower, which once served as a place of punishment for guilty citizens who were put in cages that hung on this tower. Also at the end of the square you can see Rigoletto's house, where various art exhibitions take place.
On the remaining squares of the historical center, it is worth visiting the Podesta Palace, the Palace of Justice with the Clock Tower showing the phases of the moon and the zodiac constellations, the round church of St. Lorenzo - the oldest church in the city, dating back to the 11th century. You can go inside the church for free.
Walking around the city, you can visit the green square-park, in which there is a statue of Virgil, on both sides of which there are two fountains; see the Basilica of St. Andrew, built in the 15th century; located opposite the basilica grass area - beautiful place, where the fruit and vegetable market; one of the symbols of Mantua is Te Palace, surrounded by a garden; the castle of St. George, as well as many other medieval churches, palaces and other structures.
It is very interesting to walk around Mantua randomly, without a pre-prepared plan. Nature inspires visitors with peace and tranquility. The street sidewalks of the city are made in the form of galleries, above which the second floors of houses are located. You never know what amazing place another spacious street or "gallery" can start. And there are a lot of places that are not included in any guidebook, but cozy and pleasing to the eye.
Mantova, even for Italy rich in sights, is unique creation human hands. It is no coincidence that the entire historical center of the city, including squares, buildings, streets, is included in the UNESCO list as a single unique value. The winds of history could not change the identity of Mantua. And people have done everything possible to keep this beautiful city as long as possible.
He was described by Virgil, mentioned by Verdi in Rigoletto. Romeo, by the will of Shakespeare, was exiled here after a duel with Tybalt. Such fame is not accidental. Mantua or Mantova, as the Italians call it, was recognized as the cultural capital of Italy during the Renaissance. By the way, in 2019, it was this city that was declared by Italy for the title cultural capital Europe.
Mantova is located on the banks of the Mincio River. Once it was generally located on an island between lakes and a river, reminiscent of Venice with its landscapes. But some of the lakes were drained, the canals were filled up. They left one, for the sake of completeness of the assortment of attractions, I guess. To certainly have in one place all the possible beauty and rarity. Two beautiful lakes at the entrance to Mantua have also been preserved.
Gonzaga - Patrons of Mantua
In 1328, Luigi Gonzago defeated his predecessor, forgotten by history, and for many centuries made his family the hereditary rulers of Mantua. The famous family had a lot of their "skeletons in the closet." Who among those in power in the Middle Ages did not engage in intrigues, did not send objectionable relatives to monasteries and to the next world. The Dukes of Gonzago were no exception. But for the city they have become real guardians, patrons, disinterested patrons.
Each of the following members of the family considered the strengthening and flourishing of Mantua one of their main life tasks. In addition to attracting the best architects, creators, builders to the construction of the city, they made it a center of culture and art. In fact, they became the legislators of artistic preferences, fashion and even mores of their time. To be entered into the Mantua court was considered prestigious for all of Europe.
It is clear that such influence became possible after the strengthening of political positions. Clever and far-sighted Gonzaga were related to representatives of influential families of the Austrian, Byzantine dynasty, established diplomatic relations with the Holy Roman Empire, the Venetian Republic, with the Pope. In the Ducal Palace, the main attraction of Mantua, there is a hall decorated with portraits of representatives of the family. 13 bishops, 14 cardinals, there is even a saint, approved in this title by the Pope. Decent list. One of the portraits, which depicts the family in its composition at the beginning of the 17th century, belongs to the brush of Rubens himself.
Thanks to the skillful political maneuvering of the rulers, Mantua was the only independent city until the 18th century. Then, after the next wars for supremacy and territory, the city was annexed to the Austrian kingdom. After a while, Napoleon "hosted" it. Then back to Austria. This was the end of Mantua's prosperity. Only in 1866 did it become part of Italy.
Subsequent political storms also left a mark on her appearance. But Italy has done everything possible to restore, improve and preserve the beautiful face of the city. Fun fact: from time to time representatives of the Gonzaga family work in the city hall. And its head is given the right to open the annual Mantua festival in Italy.
Lovely Mantua
The city is so harmonious that it gives the impression of a treasure box. The Dukes of Gonzaga, their numerous vassals, in the construction of dwellings, sought to surpass all European courts. Many have succeeded. The palaces and castles of Mantua are so unique that they often do not allow comparison. Every building in the city has its own interesting story and your color. It is simply impossible to even briefly talk about everything that deserves attention. Numerous tourists have made their rating of top attractions.
Palazzo Ducale or Ducal Palace. It belonged, of course, to the Gonzago family. And at that time it was the largest in Europe. Now the majestic building is no less impressive. This is not one, but a whole ensemble of buildings, including a fortress, a basilica and the palace itself, with 500 halls.
Like many famous buildings of the Middle Ages, this landmark of the city was built for more than one century. Hence the mixture of different styles, but done masterfully, in harmony and beauty. The rooms are connected by beautiful passages, corridors, galleries, patios and gardens. The interiors of the halls and rooms are decorated with the most valuable works of culture of that time. Here are the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Andrea Mantegna, Giulio Romano. Even the unfinished frescoes of Pisanello have survived, interesting topics that the pages of legends about the glorious King Arthur come to life on them.
The Cathedral, located on Piazza Sordello directly opposite the Palazzo Ducale. The cathedral is not impressive in size, but it is so unusual from the outside! Especially if you bypass it, observing a sharp change architectural styles. The Romanesque style is replaced by the Gothic, the red brick walls are replaced by a multi-colored baroque marble facade, the lancet windows and spiers are austere chapels. The inner naves and altars of the cathedral are decorated with priceless frescoes, paintings by Francesco Costa, Carrara marble columns. Luxurious and majestic - this is how you can characterize the majestic building, famous throughout Italy.
Unusual architecture, rich interior decoration distinguish the Basilica of Sant'Andrea from the general number of sights of Mantua. At first, there was a Benedictine monastery on the site of the temple. In the 15th century, taking the most beautiful part of the building as a basis, the architect Alberti designed the future masterpiece. Alas, he himself could not realize his plans, and his students brought to life only part of the project. In general, like most medieval palaces, the building became a long-term construction. But there is a blessing in disguise: each successive architects contributed their own zest to the creation of a masterpiece.
Palazzo del Te attracts everyone who has ever heard of it like a magnet. The creation of Raphael's favorite student Giulio Romano is considered the standard of mannerism - a mannered, sophisticated, original style. Romano was the son of his age and put all his creativity, inspiration, talent into this palace. He was not limited in resources. Federico Gonzago, who ruled at that time, prospered, and for complete happiness he lacked only a special room for entertainment and feasts.
Giulio Romano created a unique work of art. Moreover, an unusual landmark was erected in just a year and a half. Over the next decade, the interiors were decorated and replenished with new masterpieces. The halls of the Giants, Cupid and Psyche, the large Horse Hall are decorated with frescoes, which Romano himself worked on. Colorful, often piquant plots, richness of details, luxury of decor give an idea of the frivolity and freedom of morals of that time. The colossal dimensions of the “The Fall of the Titans” fresco and the peculiar naturalism of the work are simply stunning!
But besides the ancient sights, it is worth getting acquainted with one more - the Tazio Nuvolari Museum. The legendary racer glorified his native city. He even had a nickname "Flying Mantua". In the 20s of the last century, he became a racing star and forever remained the pride of Mantua and all of Italy.
