Mantua

Mantua (Italian: Mantova, Lombard: Mantua) is a world heritage listed city in Lombardy, Italy not far from Emilia-Romagna and Veneto. Because of the power and influence of the Gonzaga family, which used to own the city for over 400 years, Mantua was considered one of the most important cultural cities in the Renaissance and it still maintains a lot of the buildings that made it famous during that period. It was also the city where the composer Claudio Monteverdi premiered his opera L'Orfeo (1607), the earliest opera that is still regularly performed today.

Mantua was named "Capital of Italian culture 2016".

• Palazzo Ducale, Piazza Sordello, 40, +39 041 241 1897. Tu-Su 08:45-19:15 (last admission 18:20); 5 Jun-16 Oct: F 08:45-20:30 (box office until 19:20) ticket information. This complex is a marvel of medieval and Renaissance architecture and artistry. It was the home of the Gonzaga family from 1328 to 1707, extended through the period, and including more than 500 rooms. NB: The famousCamera degli Sposi (Bridal Chamber) was reopened in 2015 after it was damaged by a quake (max. 1,500 persons per day). Corte Vecchia + Castello di S.Giorgio (Bridal Chamber) + Freddi's collection: €13.00; Corte Vecchia only: €7.50.
• Castello di San Giorgio. The castle is a part of the Ducal Palace. It hosts the Museum of modern and contemporary arts.
• Palazzo Te, Viale Te, 13, +39 0376 323266. M 13:00-18:00, Tu-Su 09:00-18:00. The "Palazzo del T", as it used to be called, is a splendid palace in the south end of Mantua, it is an acknowledged masterpiece of the architect Giulio Romano. The palace is a fine example of Renaissance implementation of Villa Suburbana (suburban residence). It is also famous for its grotesque frescos in a mannerist style, which are rare example of secular paintings of that time. The palace also hosts International Centre of Art and Culture €9.
• Basilica Di Sant'Andrea, Piazza Andrea Mantegna (or piazza L.B. Alberti. This world-famous church (dating from 1472 onwards) is the work of the architect Leon Battista Alberti, one of the founders of Renaissance architecture.
• Cattedrale di San Pietro apostolo, Piazza Sordello. Built in different architectural styles, from Romanesque, to Renaissance and Baroque.
• Rotonda di San Lorenzo. M-F: summer 10:00-13:00, 15:00-19:00, winter: 10:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00; Sa Su: 10:00-18:00. Built in the late 11th century. It is the oldest church in the city; restored to its original forms in the early 20th century. free, contributions are welcome.
• Palazzo Bonacolsi, Piazza Sordello. 14th-century building by Pinamonte Bonacolsi, a residence of Mantua rulers from 1274 to 1328.
• Palazzo del Broletto, Piazza Broletto. 13th-century palace, which houses the commune government in Mantua.
• Palazzo della Ragione, Piazza delle Erbe. 14th-century building with portico of the 15th century. It used to be a seat of the Court of Justice and notarial archives.
• Torre dell'Orologio. Tu-F 10:00-13:00, 15:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-19:00 (box office closes 1 hr earlier). Hosts Museo del Tempo (Museum of time). €3.
• Palazzo Valenti Gonzaga, Via Pietro Frattini, 7 (Info-point, ticketing & reservations at Piazza Mantegna, 9/A, across the street from the Tourist Office, +39 3484419954. Tu-Fr only by prior reservation; Sa Su by guided tour 10:00 - 11:00 to 12:00, 15:00 to 16:00 - 17:00 to 18:00. The palace received its Baroque style and decor in 1670. €8.
• Casa della Beata Osanna Andreasi, Via Pietro Frattini, 9 (next to Palazzo Valenti Gonzaga, +39 0376 322297, +39 347 2399114, +39 339 6624824. Tu F 10:30-12:30; Th 18:00-19:00; daily by appointment. A rare example of an almost intacty preserved 15th-century house, which was a home to the Blessed Osanna of Mantua. The building in the hands of the Domenican Fraternity free guided tours, contributions are welcome.
• Palazzo Canossa, Piazza Canossa.
• Palazzo d'Arco, Piazza d'Arco, 4, +39 0376322242. Tu-Su 09:30-13:00, 14:30-18:00 (the ticket office closes one hour before). Built in 1784 in neoclassical style. There is a nice garden there. It is also a museum. It is possible for those who have motor disabilities to use a stair lift crawler to visit the floor of the palace -- please call the museum to alert them of arrival time. €7, €2 for children under 12, €5 for youth (12-18 years) and visitors in possession of the ticket to the Park Bertone visited on the same day.
• Torre della Gabbia, Via Cavour. A symbol of the power of families Bonacolsi and Gonzaga, but it was used a prison from the beginning of the 13th century.
• Pescherie di Giulio Romano. Fishmonger's loggia built by Giulio Romano.
• Casa di Giulio Romano, via Poma, 18. House (built in 1544) of Giulio Romano, the architect of Palazzo Te, he also designed the interior of Duomo.
• Casa di Giovan Boniforte da Concorezzo, Piazza Erbe, 26 (at the corner of Piazza Erbe and Piazza Mantegna. The building (built in 1455) features a striking facade with decorations of Venetian style.
• Casa del Cappellaio, Piazza Marconi, 13. A frescoed (attributed to the school of Andrea Mantegna) Renaissance house built in 1462.
• Casa del Mantegna. Tu-Su 10:00-12:30, 15:00-18:00. Built in 1476, the building's external walls are square in plan with a circular court. It is used for temporary exhibitions. During exhibitions €2–5, otherwise - free.
• Teatro Scientifico del Bibiena, Via Accademia 47 (please contact infopoint at Casa del Rigoletto, +39 0376 327653. Tu-Su 09:30-12:30, 15:00-18:00. Opened in 1769, it is an interesting example of a theatrical interior design of the 2nd half of the 18th century. €2.

Palazzo Ducale, Piazza Sordello, 40, +39 041 241 1897. Tu-Su 08:45-19:15 (last admission 18:20); 5 Jun-16 Oct: F 08:45-20:30 (box office until 19:20) ticket information. This complex is a marvel of medieval and Renaissance architecture and artistry. It was the home of the Gonzaga family from 1328 to 1707, extended through the period, and including more than 500 rooms. NB: The famousCamera degli Sposi (Bridal Chamber) was reopened in 2015 after it was damaged by a quake (max. 1,500 persons per day). Corte Vecchia + Castello di S.Giorgio (Bridal Chamber) + Freddi's collection: €13.00; Corte Vecchia only: €7.50.

Castello di San Giorgio. The castle is a part of the Ducal Palace. It hosts the Museum of modern and contemporary arts.

Palazzo Te, Viale Te, 13, +39 0376 323266. M 13:00-18:00, Tu-Su 09:00-18:00. The "[[w:Palazzo del Te|Palazzo del T]]", as it used to be called, is a splendid palace in the south end of Mantua, it is an acknowledged masterpiece of the architect [[w:Giulio Romano|Giulio Romano]]. The palace is a fine example of Renaissance implementation of [[w:Villa Suburbana|Villa Suburbana]] (suburban residence). It is also famous for its grotesque frescos in a mannerist style, which are rare example of secular paintings of that time. The palace also hosts International Centre of Art and Culture €9.

Basilica Di Sant'Andrea, Piazza Andrea Mantegna (or piazza L.B. Alberti. This world-famous church (dating from 1472 onwards) is the work of the architect Leon Battista Alberti, one of the founders of Renaissance architecture.

Cattedrale di San Pietro apostolo, Piazza Sordello. Built in different architectural styles, from Romanesque, to Renaissance and Baroque.

Rotonda di San Lorenzo. M-F: summer 10:00-13:00, 15:00-19:00, winter: 10:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00; Sa Su: 10:00-18:00. Built in the late 11th century. It is the oldest church in the city; restored to its original forms in the early 20th century. free, contributions are welcome.

Palazzo Bonacolsi, Piazza Sordello. 14th-century building by Pinamonte Bonacolsi, a residence of Mantua rulers from 1274 to 1328.

Palazzo del Broletto, Piazza Broletto. 13th-century palace, which houses the commune government in Mantua.

Palazzo della Ragione, Piazza delle Erbe. 14th-century building with portico of the 15th century. It used to be a seat of the Court of Justice and notarial archives.

Torre dell'Orologio. Tu-F 10:00-13:00, 15:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-19:00 (box office closes 1 hr earlier). Hosts Museo del Tempo (Museum of time). €3.

Palazzo Valenti Gonzaga, Via Pietro Frattini, 7 (Info-point, ticketing & reservations at Piazza Mantegna, 9/A, across the street from the Tourist Office, +39 3484419954. Tu-Fr only by prior reservation; Sa Su by guided tour 10:00 - 11:00 to 12:00, 15:00 to 16:00 - 17:00 to 18:00. The palace received its Baroque style and decor in 1670. €8.

Casa della Beata Osanna Andreasi, Via Pietro Frattini, 9 (next to Palazzo Valenti Gonzaga, +39 0376 322297, +39 347 2399114, +39 339 6624824. Tu F 10:30-12:30; Th 18:00-19:00; daily by appointment. A rare example of an almost intacty preserved 15th-century house, which was a home to the [[w:Osanna of Mantua|Blessed Osanna of Mantua]]. The building in the hands of the Domenican Fraternity free guided tours, contributions are welcome.

Palazzo Canossa, Piazza Canossa.

Palazzo d'Arco, Piazza d'Arco, 4, +39 0376322242. Tu-Su 09:30-13:00, 14:30-18:00 (the ticket office closes one hour before). Built in 1784 in neoclassical style. There is a nice garden there. It is also a museum. It is possible for those who have motor disabilities to use a stair lift crawler to visit the floor of the palace -- please call the museum to alert them of arrival time. €7, €2 for children under 12, €5 for youth (12-18 years) and visitors in possession of the ticket to the Park Bertone visited on the same day.

Torre della Gabbia, Via Cavour. A symbol of the power of families Bonacolsi and Gonzaga, but it was used a prison from the beginning of the 13th century.

Pescherie di Giulio Romano. Fishmonger's loggia built by Giulio Romano.

Casa di Giulio Romano, via Poma, 18. House (built in 1544) of Giulio Romano, the architect of Palazzo Te, he also designed the interior of Duomo.

Casa di Giovan Boniforte da Concorezzo, Piazza Erbe, 26 (at the corner of Piazza Erbe and Piazza Mantegna. The building (built in 1455) features a striking facade with decorations of Venetian style.

Casa del Cappellaio, Piazza Marconi, 13. A frescoed (attributed to the school of Andrea Mantegna) Renaissance house built in 1462.

Casa del Mantegna. Tu-Su 10:00-12:30, 15:00-18:00. Built in 1476, the building's external walls are square in plan with a circular court. It is used for temporary exhibitions. During exhibitions €2–5, otherwise - free.

Teatro Scientifico del Bibiena, Via Accademia 47 (please contact infopoint at Casa del Rigoletto, +39 0376 327653. Tu-Su 09:30-12:30, 15:00-18:00. [[w:Teatro Bibiena|Opened in 1769]], it is an interesting example of a theatrical interior design of the 2nd half of the 18th century. €2.

• Go to the museums:
  • Palazzo San Sebastiano, Largo XXIV Maggio, 12, +39 0376-367087. M 13:00–18:00, Tu-Su 09:00–18:00. €2.50.
  • Museo Tazio Nuvolari. Dedicated to a memory of Tazio Nuvolari, a famous car racer.
  • Galleria Arte e Arti, via Calvi 28, +39 0376 234232, +39 0376 234286.
• Take a boat trip on the lakes and rivers around Mantua.

Go to the museums:

• Palazzo San Sebastiano, Largo XXIV Maggio, 12, +39 0376-367087. M 13:00–18:00, Tu-Su 09:00–18:00. €2.50.
• Museo Tazio Nuvolari. Dedicated to a memory of Tazio Nuvolari, a famous car racer.
• Galleria Arte e Arti, via Calvi 28, +39 0376 234232, +39 0376 234286.

Go to the museums:

• Palazzo San Sebastiano, Largo XXIV Maggio, 12, +39 0376-367087. M 13:00–18:00, Tu-Su 09:00–18:00. €2.50.
• Museo Tazio Nuvolari. Dedicated to a memory of Tazio Nuvolari, a famous car racer.
• Galleria Arte e Arti, via Calvi 28, +39 0376 234232, +39 0376 234286.

Go to the museums:

• Palazzo San Sebastiano, Largo XXIV Maggio, 12, +39 0376-367087. M 13:00–18:00, Tu-Su 09:00–18:00. €2.50.
• Museo Tazio Nuvolari. Dedicated to a memory of Tazio Nuvolari, a famous car racer.
• Galleria Arte e Arti, via Calvi 28, +39 0376 234232, +39 0376 234286.

• Pizzeria Ristorante Europa, Via Saverio Bettinelli, 14 (next building on the left from the station, +39 0376 363238. A convenient place to have a pizza while you're waiting for a train. There are some tables at the back court yard.

Pizzeria Ristorante Europa, Via Saverio Bettinelli, 14 (next building on the left from the station, +39 0376 363238. A convenient place to have a pizza while you're waiting for a train. There are some tables at the back court yard.

• Doolin Irish Pub, Via Giovanni Zambelli, 8 (close to Piazza Virgiliana, +39 0376 362563. Tu-Th 18:30-01:00; Fr-Sa 18:30-02:00; Su 18:30-00:00. This pub has become a true institution in town due to the quality of the drinks and the dishes served. Here you will find beer, cocktails and excellent burgers.
• Il Gallone, Via Leon D'Oro, 13 (In front of Piazza Broletto, +39 333 433 4682. We-Su 18:30-01:30. An incredible selection of original cocktails in a small club in the heart of the historic centre.
• Zanzara, Giardini Barbato (Waterfront of Lago Superiore, +39 348 738 9659. 10:00-00:00. Enjoy a stunning view of the sunset over the lake while drinking a good cocktail. This place usually offers evenings of music and small artistic events. Low-range.

Doolin Irish Pub, Via Giovanni Zambelli, 8 (close to Piazza Virgiliana, +39 0376 362563. Tu-Th 18:30-01:00; Fr-Sa 18:30-02:00; Su 18:30-00:00. This pub has become a true institution in town due to the quality of the drinks and the dishes served. Here you will find beer, cocktails and excellent burgers.

Il Gallone, Via Leon D'Oro, 13 (In front of Piazza Broletto, +39 333 433 4682. We-Su 18:30-01:30. An incredible selection of original cocktails in a small club in the heart of the historic centre.

Zanzara, Giardini Barbato (Waterfront of Lago Superiore, +39 348 738 9659. 10:00-00:00. Enjoy a stunning view of the sunset over the lake while drinking a good cocktail. This place usually offers evenings of music and small artistic events. Low-range.

• IAT Mantova, Piazza Mantegna, 6, +39 0376 432432. Apr-Sep: M-F 09:00-13:30, 14:30-18:00, Sa 09:00-18:00, Su 09:00-13:00; Oct-Mar: M-F 09:00-13:30, 14:30-17:00; Sa Su 09:00-17:00.
• InfoPoint Rigoletto, Piazza Sordello, 23 (Casa del Rigoletto, +39 0376 288208. Daily 09:00-19:00.

IAT Mantova, Piazza Mantegna, 6, +39 0376 432432. Apr-Sep: M-F 09:00-13:30, 14:30-18:00, Sa 09:00-18:00, Su 09:00-13:00; Oct-Mar: M-F 09:00-13:30, 14:30-17:00; Sa Su 09:00-17:00.

InfoPoint Rigoletto, Piazza Sordello, 23 (Casa del Rigoletto, +39 0376 288208. Daily 09:00-19:00.

• Sabbioneta – a Renaissance ideal town. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site on par with Mantua.
• Castel Goffredo – one of the capitals of the states of the Gonzaga.
• Lake Garda – is at an easy reach by a direct bus 46 to Peschiera del Garda (take off at Piazza Bettelloni). From where you can take a ferry to the other destinations around the lake. Adventurous ones could take a bike ride right up to Peschiera along the Mincio Cycleway.