Hotel Lido di Savio Mirabilandia - Hotel Cesenatico Atlantica

Mantua

A number of important works such as the Palazzo Bonacolsi, the Palazzo del Podestà, the Palazzo della Ragione and the church of San Lorenzo (the “Rotonda”) and the Gradaro, date back to the period of medieval communes and the short period of seigniory of the Bonacolsi.


The Palazzo Ducale is symbolic of the domination of the Gonzaga family, it is one of the largest and most elaborate palaces in Italy. It contains around 500 halls and rooms with several squares, courtyards and gardens.

“A city built like a palace”:this pleasant synthesis written by Baldassare Castiglione perfectly conveys the idea of the charm and grandeur of which Mantua is capable. It is small and well-designed, but above all it is an original mixture of history and art.
 

In particular, the city presents itself to visitors as a casket of art treasures which world famous names filled with their precious works: we need only mention Mantegna, Pisanello, Giulio Romano, Leon Battista Alberti, to recall numerous other artists, painters and town planners who enhanced the city’s undeniable cultural importance. Each of them left indelible traces which visitors will find astonishing.
 

Mantua has innumerable jewels, all of which are preserved with great care and affection: museums, palaces of the ruling families who made political decisions for the city, churches and synagogues, historic nuclei tied to the events of the past, art galleries, charming spots, alleys, streets and small squares with brick paving and antique street furniture.
 

CASA DEL MANTEGNA:Today home to exhibitions, the house of the Mantenga family was built in 1476 and was occupied by the artist who decorated its interior until 1496.
 

CASTELLO DI S. GIORGIO:Constructed in 1395 as a defensive structure, it was transformed into a residence by Francelli in 1459. Its interior was decorated by Mantegna.

PALAZZO DELLA RAGIONE: Built to be the seat of the court of justice in 1215. The portico, which was later added, housed the market.

PALAZZO DUCALE: the Gonzaga family connected the 500 rooms and 15 courtyards inside the palace with corridors and passages, making it the most striking palace of this period.
 

GALLERIA CIVICA D'ARTE CONTEMPORANEA: houses 600 works of art which received the Suzzara Award for Figurative Art.
 

BASILICA DI S. ANDREA: it was designed by L.B. Alberti. Built over a period of three centuries and completed in 1772, it houses sacred urns containing the blood of Christ.


DUOMO: a neoclassic cathedral, constructed in 1762, tied in particular to the figure of S. Luigi Gonzaga. The mortal remains of the saint’s mother are preserved here.
 

ROTONDA DI SAN LORENZO: built in 1802, it was closed in 1579 and concealed by the surrounding buildings. It was brought back to light in 1906, it is now a national monument.