Mantua, a hidden gem in Northern Italy, enchants with its magnificent Renaissance architecture recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the seat of the powerful Gonzaga family, the beautiful city showcases highlights such as the majestic , the artful , and the impressive . Surrounded by three picturesque lakes, Mantua provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable day trip.
Top 10 Highlights of Mantua
Enjoy the Palace of Leisure with extraordinary frescoes
Mantua, Lombardy
Palazzo Te, a masterpiece of Mannerist architecture designed by Giulio Romano, was built between 1524 and 1534 for Federico II Gonzaga, the Marquess of Mantua, as a palace of leisure. This stunning villa is renowned for its extraordinary frescoes and grand rooms. Highlights include the Sala dei Giganti with its ancient graffiti, where colossal frescoes depict the dramatic fall of the giants, and the Sala di Amore e Psiche, illustrating the mythological love story of Cupid and Psyche.
Visit Gonzaga's impressive Residence
Mantua, Lombardy
Palazzo Ducale is a magnificent complex where the powerful Gonzaga family resided from the 14th to the 17th century. This sprawling palace boasts around 500 rooms and covers 34,000 square meters, making it the sixth-largest palace in Europe! The highlight of the residence is the Camera degli Sposi, adorned with exquisite frescoes by Andrea Mantegna. Be sure to also see the stunning Cortile della Cavallerizza. Visitors can wander through the inner courtyards and gardens, explore the majestic Castle of San Giorgio, and admire the extensive art collections within the palace
Impressive home of Christ’s Blood Relic
Mantua, Lombardy
The 15th-century Basilica di Sant’Andrea, located in Piazza Andrea Mantegna, is famous for housing a relic of Holy Earth, soaked with Christ's blood from under the cross. This sacred vessel is displayed only on Good Friday each year, attracting numerous pilgrims. Designed by Leon Battista Alberti, the basilica features stunning Renaissance architecture, including a monumental façade inspired by a Roman triumphal arch. Inside, you'll find a vast, intricately decorated space with barrel vaults, beautiful paintings, and numerous altars and frescoes. Don’t miss the side room exhibition on the church’s main relic and the crypt where it's kept.
Striking Medevial Fortress with illusionistic frescoes
Mantua, Lombardy
Castello di San Giorgio, part of Mantua's Ducal Palace, is a striking example of late medieval military architecture. Built between 1395 and 1406 for Francesco I Gonzaga, it is the oldest building in the Palazzo Ducale complex. With its four massive corner towers and a moat crossed by three drawbridges, it makes a monumental and well-fortified impression. The castle was transformed from a fortress into a luxurious residence by Ludovico III Gonzaga in the 15th century, becoming a cultural hub under Isabella d'Este, who hosted notable artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea Mantegna. (However, da Vinci refused Isabella's repeated requests to commission a painting.) When Mantua became part of the Austrian Empire in 1814 the fortress became a maximum security prison for the Empire's political opponents.
Be surprised by the unique baroque beauty where Mozart played
Mantua, Lombardy
Don't miss this treat if you are in Mantua! Teatro Bibiena, also known as Teatro Scientifico, is a jewel of Baroque architecture, designed by Antonio Galli Bibiena and completed in 1769. Constructed for the Royal Virgilian Academy of Science and Arts, the theatre in Mantua was designed in late Baroque or early Rococo style by Antonio Galli Bibiena. This intimate theater, with about 200 seats encircled by ornate boxes designed for two, is famous for its elliptical shape and intricate decorations. It's not like any theatre you have ever seen before. It even hosted a 14-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1770. Visitors can enjoy guided tours to explore its elegant box seats and stunning frescoes, and even attend concerts in this historical venue.
Lively square surrounded by notable landmarks
Mantua, Lombardy
Piazza delle Erbe, situated right in Mantua's historic center, is a lively square. Surrounded by notable landmarks such as the Rotonda di San Lorenzo, the Torre dell'Orologio and the Basilica di Sant'Andrea, the piazza is an important location to explore the town. With its numerous cafes, shops and gelateria, it's the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely stroll, or simply relax and soak in the bustling atmosphere.
Architectural Fusion of Ages
Mantua, Lombardy
St. Peter's Cathedral, located in Piazza Sordello, is a beautiful example of Mantua’s rich architectural heritage. Destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt in 1395–1401. Today the cathedral features an overlay of three styles: the late Baroque facade, the Gothic left flank, and the Romanesque bell tower. Inside, visitors are greeted by a stunning array of Corinthian columns, leading to a beautifully adorned main altar made of polychrome marble and topped with a finely carved wooden crucifix.
Rest in the ancient, atmospheric circular church
Mantua, Lombardy
The Rotonda di San Lorenzo, Mantua's most ancient church, dates back to the late 11th century and is a remarkable Romanesque building. Located in Piazza delle Erbe, this circular church stands on the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to Venus. Today it has sunk below the level of the Piazza della Erbe. Its design was inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. It features original Byzantine frescoes from the 11th and 12th centuries and a unique matronaeum, a gallery reserved for women. After centuries of neglect, it was restored in the early 20th century, revealing its ancient beauty to visitors once more.
Elegant Aristocratic Mansion
Mantua, Lombardy
Palazzo D'Arco is an elegant neoclassical palace, redesigned in 1783. It is located on Piazza Carlo D'Arco #4. Inside, you'll find the Museo di Palazzo d'Arco, which showcases the elegant furnishings and impressive artwork collected by the D'Arco family. Despite being bombed during World War II, the palace retains its charm. The highlight of a visit is the Sala dello Zodiaco, a room adorned with beautiful frescoes by Giovanni Maria Falconetto.
Royal chapel of the House of Gonzaga
Palatine Basilica of Saint Barbara
Mantua, Lombardy
The Basilica Palatina di Santa Barbara was commissioned by Duke Guglielmo Gonzaga and designed by Giovan Battista Bertani. Built between 1562 and 1572, this Renaissance gem features a unique square dome and houses a remarkable 16th-century organ by Graziadio Antegnati. Adorned with exquisite frescoes, the basilica offers visitors a glimpse into the opulent religious life of the Gonzaga family.
Inspiration
Travel Information
How long should you stay?
You can explore the main sights in Mantua during a day trip. However, with its surprisingly numerous and interesting attractions a two-day stay is well worth it in this beautiful town.
Best time to visit
Spring and fall offer mild weather and fewer crowds, making it the best time to explore the city. But since the town is still a bit of a hidden gem, you can also visit in summer.
How to get to Mantua?
By Plane
- Closest Airports: The nearest major airports are Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN), approximately 33 km (20 miles) away, and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ), around 120 km (75 miles) away.
- From Bologna Airport: Take a bus to Bologna Centrale train station, then a train to Mantua, usually with a transfer at Verona Porta Nuova.
- From Verona Airport: You can take a bus or taxi to Verona Porta Nuova train station, then a direct train to Mantua.
By Train
Mantua's train station, Stazione di Mantova is located in Piazza Don Leoni, about a 10-15 minute walk from the city center. There are *direct trainsfrom Milan and Venice, which will take you to Mantua in just about 1.5 hours. Regional trains from Verona** Porta Nuova to Mantua take about 40 minutes.
By Car
Mantua is easily reachable by car, both from Bologna, Venice or Verona. In town, there are various parking areas around the historic center, but be aware of restricted traffic zones (ZTL) in the city center.
Fancy a roadtrip?
Be inspired by our hand-picked road trips.
Interested?
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History
Mantua's story begins around 2,000 BC with its early Etruscan settlers, who probably named the city after Mantus, the god of the underworld. By the 2nd century BC, Mantua had become a Roman colony, gaining further prominence when the legendary poet Virgil was born nearby in 70 BC.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, Mantua experienced a succession of rulers, including the Goths, Byzantines, Lombards, and Franks. In the 11th century, it became a fief under Boniface of Canossa, whose daughter, Matilda of Tuscany, played a significant role until her death in 1115. Following this, Mantua transitioned to a communal government and joined the Lombard League (an alliance of northern Italian towns) in 1167 to oppose the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.
The rise of the Gonzaga family in 1328 marked a golden era for Mantua. The Gonzagas built new walls with five gates and renovated the city in the 14th century. During the Italian Renaissance, the Gonzagas transformed the city into a cultural hub, patronizing artists like Andrea Mantegna, who painted the famous Camera degli Sposi frescoes, and Giulio Romano, who designed the stunning Palazzo Te. Mantua also became a center for musical innovation, with Claudio Monteverdi premiering his opera "L'Orfeo" there in 1607.
After the end of the direct line of the Gonzaga family, the War of the Mantuan Succession (1628-1631) broke out. The conflict led to a devastating siege of the city by Imperial troops in 1630. The siege brought with it the plague, which decimated Mantua's population.
After the final fall of the Gonzaga dynasty in 1708, Mantua came under Austrian control. The city was also briefly part of Napoleon's territories in 1797 before being restored to Austrian rule. Finally, in 1866, Mantua became part of the unified Kingdom of Italy.
In modern times, Mantua has continued to shine. In 2008, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with nearby Sabbioneta. In 2016, Mantua was named the Italian Capital of Culture, and in 2017, it was recognized as the European Capital of Gastronomy.
