Mantua - High origin

Mantua is a real precious casket and during the Renaissance, Mantua made a significant contribution to the development of culture and art. The cradle of the Renaissance, Mantua is surrounded by three lakes: Upper, Middle and Lower Lakes, on which numerous lotus flowers bloom in June and July. The city occupied an important strategic position, where the fertile lands of the Padan Plain and rich water resources made Mantua a very wealthy city during the Middle Ages.

The great architect from Tuscany, Leon Battista Alberti, designed the Basilica of St. Andrea, a majestic temple, it is the most outstanding basilica of Mantua from an artistic point of view.

The huge monumental complex of the Ducal Palace - the symbol of the city of Mantua, is a set of magnificent buildings, with different architectural styles, as well as the official residence of Gonzaga. The Gonzaga family ruled the city for nearly four centuries, making it powerful, beautiful and cultural. Art, palace building and the view of the city were an integral part of Gonzaga’s politics, patrons and passionate collectors, always trying to impress their important visitors, making constant efforts to improve their palace complex.

At St. George’s Castle, the great artist Andrea Mantegna left another wonder, the Newlyweds’ Room, which has aroused the admiration of millions of visitors from all over the world in these centuries. It's really an incredible emotion to walk into this room, this precious box. In the Ducal Palace also worked such famous artists as Pisanello and Rubens.

The wives of the rulers of Gonzaga, left a very important mark in the development of Mantua, very educated and talented in the political management of the city, among them in particular, Isabella d'Este from Ferrara, at that time she was called the "Diamon Renaissance". This special woman created a real center of culture in Mantua during the Renaissance, turning her apartment into a treasury of works of art and surrounding herself with the most famous masters of her time, including Leonardo da Vinci and Titian.

During the Middle Ages, Matilda of Canos, who ruled the city and surrounding areas, is the most characteristic character of her era. The Grand Countess loved Mantua and was very popular in society at the time. Matilda of Canos, a true warrior and witty politician, was proclaimed Vice-Queen of Italy by Emperor Enrico V!

Mantua, which was always called the city of Virgilio, is the birthplace of this famous Latin poet, his full name is Publio Virgilio Marone, he sang Mantua in his poetry: "Mantua me genuit, ..." "Mantuya gave birth to me..."

Mantua has been recognized as a UNESCO city, where all outstanding masterpieces and much more are a solid heritage and thanks to these masterpieces of the highest artistic level, Mantua continues to attract numerous visitors and all art connoisseurs around the world.

See you in Mantua,

your guide Christina.

** I highly recommend not to conduct a tour on Thursdays, because on this day comes the clothing market, all squares and streets are lined with trays and you will not have the opportunity to walk comfortably and take high-quality photos of this beautiful town.

** If desired, in one day, a tour of Mantua can be combined with a tour of Borghetto or Sigurt Park (the distance from Mantua is 35 minutes by car). This tour can also be combined with a gastronomic tour and a vinegar tasting in Modena.

• Sightseeing tour of Mantua.
• Visit the Basilica of St. Andrea (entry is free).