Mantua City Centre

Mantua City Centre

with Sordello, Broletto and Erbe squares, Saint Peter Cathedral, Saint Lawrence romanesque church and Saint Andrew Basilica. Tasso so rightly wrote in 1586: "... this is such a beautiful city that it is worth the thousand mile journey to visit her". Mantua, a city rich of history, surprises its visitors by her exceptional character offers the visitor a wonderful experience of both art and beauty. This city is good to live in but also brilliant and aristocratic. It’s surrounded by beautiful environment, in which water and earth are unexpectedly interwoven. A city in which the excellence and originality of local traditions concerning wine, food and products make it worth making the trip. Small but spectacular, from every corner the city of Mantua offers an encounter with history and beauty. The town was founded around 2000 BC on the banks of the Mincio river and in the 6th century BC was an Etruscan village. Virgil, was born here. Then it was invaded by Longobards and Franks, and then it became a possession of Canossa, whose last ruler was the famous countess Matilde of Canossa.In 1198 the city optimized the course of the Mincio river, creating the so-called "four lakes", enforcing the natural protection. In the Middle Ages, Mantua was ruled by several families which became extremely important in the history and culture of Italy, among which the Bonacolsi and the Gonzaga (1328-1708). The Gonzaga protected art and culture, and hosted several important artists like Leon Battista Alberti, Andrea Mantegna, Giulio Romano and P.P.Rubens. Notably, the town contains many artworks and architectural treasures that record its important epochs. In 1708, Mantua was seized by the Habsburgs, ending Gonzaga rule, then the town passed under Napoleon's domain, and was later unified in Italy. City centre visit starts from Piazza Sordello what, with its contours, forms the heart of the historical centre. The ancient cobblestones of Piazza Sordello have witnessed many historic events. It was here when the Gonzagas took over the town in 1328 overthrowing the Bonacolsi family. The square is dominated by the wide facade of the Palazzo Ducale which consists of Palazzo del Capitano and Magna Domus. The Cathedral of San Pietro with its neoclassical façade, its gothis side, the Romanesque bell tower and the renaissance interior. To the left of the Cathedral stands the seat of the Bishop and the 13^th century Palazzo Bonacolsi. Leaving Piazza Sordello we enter Piazza Broletto where the magnificent 13^th-century Palazzo del Podestà stands between the Arengario Arch and the Commune Tower, here almost all buildings were built in 13^th century when Mantua was a commune, a free city. Piazza Erbe is the heart of Mantua and, just like Piazza Sordello, its old buildings date back to various periods. Here Matilde of Canossa, according to the legend, ordered the building of the 12^th-century church of San Lorenzo. Visit of the church interior. On three sides the square is lined with porticoes and shops and dominated by the imposing Basilica of Sant’Andrea and the Palazzo della Ragione. One of the most important monuments in Mantua is the great Basilica of Sant’Andrea designed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1472. Visit of the Basilica interior. The first chapel to the left is Mantegna’s funeral chapel. Mantegna was buried here when he died in 1506. In the crypt of Sant'Andrea there is also the relic of the blood of Christ which has great devotional and historical significance.

Guide Turistiche

Alliet'ARTI

allietarti@aliceposta.it

Tel: 328 4532069

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