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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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​.

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​.

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.

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.

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.

Piazza Sordello, dedicated to the medieval troubadour Sordello da Goito, is the heart of Mantua. Built in 1330, this medieval square is home to the Cathedral of San Pietro and the 13th-century Palazzo Bonacolsi. Visitors can also explore remnants of an imperial Roman villa's mosaic floors. The oldest square of the town is also a lively spot with frequent cultural events.

The Torre dell'Orologio, built in the 15th century, is a nice landmark at the Piazza delle Erbe. This Renaissance tower houses an intricate astronomical clock designed by Bartolomeo Manfredi, displaying not just time but also lunar phases and zodiac positions. Inside the connected Palazzo della Ragione, visitors can explore exhibitions on the clock's history and mechanism, and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top.

The Torre della Gabbia, a medieval tower in Mantua, stands at 55 meters tall and was originally built by the Acerbi family. It was later sold to Pinamonte Bonacolsi in 1281 and eventually integrated into the Guerrieri Gonzaga palace. The tower got its current name in 1576 when Duke Guglielmo Gonzaga installed an iron cage built as an "open-air prison" to publicly display prisoners. Famous is a thief named Marchino Ziganti who was caged there for three months.

The Palazzo della Ragione, built between 1242 and 1250, served as Mantua’s city hall, courthouse, and market hall. This historical gem features a beautiful astronomical clock tower added in the 15th century, which once guided the daily lives of Mantua's citizens. Visitors can explore the vast main hall, which now hosts exhibitions, and enjoy panoramic views at the clock tower.

The church of San Sebastiano (or temple of the Fallen) is an early Renaissance gem in Mantua, and was designed by the renowned architect Leon Battista Alberti. Construction began in 1460 but was left incomplete by the mid-1470s, leaving little of Alberti’s work beyond his innovative design. Notably, the church features a Greek cross plan and a façade without columns, marking a significant shift in architectural style. Considered one of the earliest examples of Renaissance centrally-planned churches, it was originally intended as a mausoleum for the Gonzaga family and includes a ground-level crypt. Today the temple is used as a 'famedia' of the Fallen.

Casa di Rigoletto, located at Piazza Sordello 23, is a historic building famously depicted in the original set design of Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Rigoletto". This medieval house, updated in the 15th century, was chosen in 1851 to represent the home of the fictional jester Rigoletto. In the garden, visitors can find a bronze statue of Rigoletto, created by sculptor Aldo Falchi in 1978. Today, the house serves as a tourist office

The Church of San Francesco in Mantua, founded by the Franciscan Order in 1304, is a historic gem with a tumultuous past. From 1811, it was used as an arsenal by the Austrians. In 1942, the Franciscans returned to the monastery and reopened the church for services. Though repurposed and damaged over the centuries, including during World War II, it still showcases its Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The church features preserved frescoes, such as those depicting St. Francis receiving the stigmata, and houses the Cappella Gonzaga, known for its beautiful frescoes of St. Louis of Toulouse.

The Palazzo Bonacolsi, also known as Palazzo Castiglioni, is a 13th-century Gothic-style aristocratic palace located in the center of the town in Piazza Sordello in front of the Ducal Palace in Mantua, region of Lombardy, Italy.

The National Archaeological Museum of Mantua is an archaeological museum located in Mantua, Italy. It is located at the Palazzo Ducale and holds objects discovered from excavations in the surrounding territory. The museum is operated by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities of Italy.

Santa Maria della Vittoria was a medieval chapel or small church in Mantua located on Piazzetta di San Simone. It was built by Marchese Francesco Gonzaga in 1496 in memory of the French army of Charles VIII in the battle of Fornovo. The site had previously been the house of a Jewish moneylender, Daniele da Norsa. Apparently he had overpainted a fresco representation of the Virgin on the façade with his own coat of arms. The ruler at the time, Sigismondo Gonzaga, demanded that the iconic painting be restored, or Daniele would face execution. Despite having accepted the unrefusable offer, a mob razed the house at the site. When Francesco returned, he pardoned the Jew, if he were to fund construction of the chapel. The architect Bernardino Ghisolfi designed the two story edifice. It once housed a famous altarpiece, the Madonna della Vittoria, painted by Mantegna; the painting was looted in 1797, is now at the Louvre.

Casa di Giulio Romano in Mantua is an architectural gem designed by the renowned Renaissance artist himself in 1544. This unique residence reflects Giulio Romano’s personal style, featuring a striking facade with intricate stonework and distinctive arches. Inside, visitors can admire frescoes and original elements that showcase the artist’s ingenuity and creativity.

Situated between Piazza Broletto and Piazza delle Erbe, the Palazzo del Podestà (or Palazzo del Broletto) is an architectural gem dating back to the 13th century. Originally built as the commune's government offices, it features a Renaissance-style facade. Look closely: in a niche with a well-worn13th-statue depicts Virgil at his desk.

The Accademia Nazionale Virgiliana di Scienze Lettere ed Arti is an Italian scientific institution. The main aims of the Academy are the production of original studies in every field of knowledge, the promotion of scientific research, the deepening of knowledge of Virgil and his works as well as the history of Mantua and its territory, the coordination and dissemination of culture. The Accademia Nazionale Virgiliana has its headquarters in the Palazzo dell'Accademia Nazionale Virgiliana in Mantua, Italy.

San Barnaba is a Roman Catholic church located at the intersection of Via Giovanni Chiassi and Via Carlo Poma in Mantua, Lombardy, Italy.

The Ponte dei Mulini is the name attached to the mainly man-made separations made across the Mincio River at Mantua, region of Lombardy, Italy. Never truly one bridge however the harnessed passage of the water from the upper, Lago Superiore, to the lower Lago di Mezzo, has been utilized by the local inhabitants to power mills for nearly 900 years, and hydroelectric generation in the present. Circa the year 1188, the architect Alberto Pitentino designed a series of dams to flood the swampy area North and West of the medieval city of Mantua. This set of walls create the Lago Superiore. Use of the kinetic energy of the water flow was directed through at least 12 dozen mills, each named after a separate apostle, built along the dam. Work continued on the structure until 1230. During the wars of the Visconti and Gonzaga in the 14th century, one effort was to try to rechannel the Mincio, but the effort failed and a breached dam cause a portion of the structure to be damaged, leading to the construction of a rounded dam called della rota. At the north end of the bridge, circa 1530, Federico II Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua commissioned from Giulio Romano construction of a fortress, Porta Giulia, defending access to the city. It was restored in 1752 by the engineer Antonio Maria Azzalini under the patronage of Empress Maria Teresa.

Palazzo Cavriani is an aristocratic palace with gardens located in Mantua, Italy. The palace is also sometimes referred to as the Palazzo Gonzaga-Spolverini, but the palace belonging to those families was either razed or subsumed into the present neoclassical structure and garden.

The Church of Sant'Orsola in Mantua, Italy, was designed and built in 1608 by Antonio Maria Viani, the architect of the ducal court of the House of Gonzaga. The church was commissioned by Margherita Gonzaga d'Este, the widow of Alfonso II d'Este. Margherita, while not a nun herself, as a widow came to live in an apartment in the Clarissan monastery that was once adjacent. The octagonal church was decorated by major regional artists including Domenico Fetti and his sister Lucrina, Lodovico Carracci, Carlo Bonomi, and Antonio Maria Viani. After suppression of the convent in the 1780s, the convent had become a hospital.

The Church of the Madonna del Terremoto is a small Baroque style, Roman Catholic church in central Mantua, region of Lombardy, Italy. The small votive church was built in 1754 in gratitude to the Virgin for her perceived protection after the 1693 Sicily earthquake. The Baroque church contained, at one time, two altarpieces by Giuseppe Bazzani, the Adoration by the Shepherds and a Pietà. They are now in the Diocesan museum in Mantua.

San Maurizio is a domed Baroque, Roman Catholic church designed by Antonio Maria Viani, and located on Via Chiassi, Mantua, Italy. It was once called ‘’Santi Maurizio e Margherita’’.