Things to Do and See in Mantua

Mantua, the capital of the province of the same name, lies along the winding course of the Mincio River, surrounded by a series of romantic lakes that lend it an air of elegance and refinement. Historically ruled by the Gonzaga dynasty, who transformed it into a court city of immense splendor, its historic center preserves numerous reminders of that era, starting with the Palazzo Ducale—a veritable city-palace with its 500 rooms, courtyards, gardens, to the Palazzo del Capitano, which overlooks Piazza Sordello. Also worth noting are the Palazzo della Ragione and the adjacent Palazzo del Podestà—the oldest public building from the Middle Ages—with the Clock Tower standing beside it. Not to be overlooked is the Duomo, rich in diverse architectural styles, such as the Romanesque bell tower and the neoclassical façade. There are also numerous works by artists such as Leon Battista Alberti and Andrea Mantegna; the Basilica of St. Andrew is one such example. Elsewhere in the province, we recommend visiting Sabbioneta, built according to the specifications of Vespasiano Gonzaga and surrounded by 16th-century fortifications. In particular, don’t miss the Imperial and Victory Gates, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Galleria degli Antichi in Piazza d’Armi, the Olympic Theater designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi and decorated with frescoes by Paolo Veronese, the Ducal Palace, and the Palazzo Giardino. Meanwhile, in Revere, you’ll find the ruins of the Gonzaga residence. Finally, we also recommend Medole, home to an altarpiece by Titian; San Benedetto Po, with its abbey rebuilt by Giulio Romano; Marmirolo, with the Bosco della Fontana hunting lodge; and Canneto sull’Oglio, known as the “toy town” because of its toy museum, which displays over 1,000 items—including dolls and games—collected from the 19th century to the present day.