How to get to Mantua from Milan. Mantua in Italy. Bibien Science Theater

The city of Mantova was originally built as a defensive point: it is a very good place to control the routes from Northern to Central Italy. The inhabitants of Mantua were reliably protected both by the fortress walls and by numerous swamps, in which more than one army was bogged down, trying to capture the city bypassing the only way.

LAKE CITY

Over the course of its long history, Mantova several times found itself among new riverbeds, sometimes among marshy swamps, and lakes formed in its environs.

The Italian city of Mantova is located in a rather unusual place. As a rule, urban planners shy away from marshes with their pathogenic atmosphere, unsuitable for many people to live. Mantova is an exception to the rule.

The city settled on the banks of the Mincio River, not far from its confluence with the Po River. Mantua is surrounded on three sides by water: in this place Mincio bends many times, forming new channels, elders and lakes. In fact, the city stands on an island in the middle of the swamps, and such a location was specially chosen.

People have lived here since the Neolithic 6-7 thousand years ago. On the lands around the city, the remains of numerous settlements have been discovered. In the future, this region was settled by the Etruscans who founded the city in the VI century. BC e. and who called him in honor of Mantus - one of the gods of the underworld.

In the III century. BC e., when Rome expanded the boundaries of its possessions, he was captured and Mantova. Glory to the city was brought by the fact that in 70 BC. e. not far from him was born Virgil (70-19 BC), the greatest poet of ancient Rome, nicknamed the "Mantouan swan." During the fall of Rome, the city was repeatedly destroyed by Germanic tribes.

Until the end of the VI century. Mantua was connected to the Adriatic Sea by the Mincio River, but in 589 the neighboring Adige River spilled, its flood changed the surrounding landscape, the Mincio channel deviated, and it became a tributary of the Po.

In 603 the city was conquered by the Lombards, then it became the residence of the Counts of Tuscany (Canossa). A reminder of those ancient times is an unusual-looking church-rotunda of San Lorenzo.

In the XII century. the last representative of the clan, Countess Matilda of Tuscany, and Mantova, achieved the status of an independent commune, which marked the beginning of the heyday of the city.

Mantova became a member of the Lombard League - the military-trade union of the North Italian cities opposing the Holy Roman Empire. Such powerful patronage made it possible for the Mantuans to carry out reclamation work in the swamps and, without fear of an attack, build many beautiful buildings. The townspeople dug up four huge ponds, which became the line of defense of Mantua: three of them have survived to this day. The city turned out to be on a peninsula, it was possible to reach it only through a narrow isthmus, and it was almost impossible to capture.

In the XIII century. Mantova was at the center of the struggle of political groups of Guelphs and Ghibellines and passed into the power of the Bonacolsi clan. It was with them that several notable buildings of Mantua were built, preserved to this day and giving the city an indescribable medieval charm.

In the XIV century. the Bonacolsi clan became seedy and was replaced by the Gonzaga clan, whose court became the most brilliant in Europe. Gonzaga were well-known philanthropists, they gave orders to poets and artists, with them Rubens himself began his career in Mantua. In the XV-XVI centuries. Mantova was one of the centers of the Italian Renaissance. The rulers of Gonzaga, although they were condottiers (in fact, the leaders of the gangs of mercenaries), erected all the famous city castles, palaces and gardens.

In 1708, Mantua was captured by Austria and was under its rule until 1866, with a break in 1797-1814, when the French owned it.

In 1866, Mantova became part of the Italian kingdom.

ARCHITECTURAL IDEAL OF REVIVAL

In 2007, the historical center of Mantua was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, as its planning and development clearly expressed the optimistic mood of the Italian Renaissance.

The days of the greatness of Mantua have passed, and today it is a small city with a rich history that attracts a lot of lovers of antiquity.

In the last century, the city’s economy was actively developing, like the entire economy of the cities of the North, and today large industrial enterprises - a petrochemical plant, machine-building plants - are adjacent to ancient buildings. Such a neighborhood is of great concern to the urban community, dissatisfied with the environmental situation in the city.

The concern of the townspeople is understandable: after all, tourists come to Mantua, attracted primarily by its history, including cultural. It was in neighboring Verona and Mantua, where Romeo was sent for the death of Tybalt, that the tragedy of William Shakespeare “Romeo and Juliet” takes place: “And we set off on horseback from Mantua here to the crypt fence ...”. And then there is the famous rake, womanizer and couplet player Duke, the hero of Giuseppe Verdi's opera Rigoletto - the ruler of Mantua. And in 1607, composer Claudio Monteverdi gave the premiere of the opera Orpheus in Mantua, with the support of the Marquis Gonzaga.

The marquises of Gonzaga were very rich and could afford such luxury as the patronage of the best architects of Italy. By their order, Leon Batista Alberti (1404-1472), the founder of new European architecture and an outstanding theoretician of Renaissance art, built the churches of San Sebastiano and San Andrea, which determined the main direction in quattrocento architecture.

In the church of San Andrea lies the remains of the court painter of the Dukes of Gonzag and the most original Renaissance artist Andrea Mantegna (circa 1431-1506), who left behind several brilliant creations in the city.

Another great architect and painter, Giulio Romano (1492-1546), an original representative of the art of mannerism, commissioned the same Gonzaga to build the Palazzo Del Te, a magnificent palace with frescoes by Romano himself and his students. Marquis Federico Gonzaga was madly in love with a certain lady of the court, and all the Palazzo del Te was conceived and executed as a love poem. Here is the Psyche hall with scenes of the wedding feast of Psyche and Cupid, and the halls of the Sun, Metamorphosis, Zodiac, Giants.

The facade of another palace, the Palazzo Ducale, retained its medieval appearance, where, by accident, in 1969, murals were opened based on the legends of the knights of King Arthur, one of the most prominent Renaissance artists, Antonio Pisano, or Pisanello (1395-1455).

Later buildings are the Episcopal Palace and the baroque cathedral. The main building of the cathedral was built at the beginning of the XII century. Only the bell tower survived from its former Gothic architecture, and the new baroque facade was made in the second half of the 18th century.

The oldest surviving churches of the city is the rotunda of San Lorenzo, built of brick in the form of a round building in the Romanesque style. The church has a strange fate: the Marquises of Gonzaga closed it for worship in 1579 - they did not like the Canoss family. Then the building served as a warehouse, then a tenement house. And only at the beginning of the XX century. it was reconstructed, and since 1926 services have been held here again.

SIGHTS OF MANTUI

Cult:

■ Church-rotunda of San Lorenzo (XI century).

■ Renaissance churches of San Sebastian (1460) and San Andrea (1472-1494).

■ Mantua Cathedral (XII century., The second half of the XVIII century.).

Architectural:

■ Clock Tower (Torre del Oroolgio, XVI century).

■ The Palazzo Del Te (1525-1534).

■ Della Rajo-ne (1250).

■ Broletto (1227-1273 biennium) and Bonacolsi (XIII century).

■ Gallery and Museum of the Palazzo Ducale (1290-1708).

■ Piazza delle Erbe and Sordello.

■ The Bibbien Theater (1767-1769).

Historical:

■ Castle of San Giorgio (St. George, 1395-1406).

■ House of Andrea Mantegna (1476).

■ House of Giulio Romano (1544).

Cultural:

■ Vergiliev Academy of Sciences and Arts (1768).

■ Mantua Library (1780).

■ Monument to Virgil (1927).

■ In Mantua, the house of the architect Giulio Romano himself was preserved, where he lived while he was carrying out orders for the Marques of Gonzaga, and he rebuilt the existing building in his own characteristic style.

  ■ The famous Mantuan Bibbien Theater is actually quite small and seats just 363 spectators. In 1770, the 13-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played a concert here with incredible success.

  ■ Since 1997, one of the most significant cultural events in Europe, the Literary Festival, has been taking place in Mantua. Authors from all over the world take part in it - up to 700 people. They give lectures in the historic buildings of the city for five days.

  ■ The name Mantua is borne by cities and towns in and on.

  ■ The Roman poet Virgil was born in a village near Mantua, which still exists today, under the name Virgilio. In the city itself, in 1927, a monument was opened with a bronze statue of Virgil in the square near the Mincio embankment.

  ■ The Mantua Library was founded in the second half of the 18th century. by a registered decree of Empress Maria Theresa (1717-1780).

GENERAL INFORMATION

Location: Western Europe, Northern Italy.
  Date of foundation: VI century BC e.
  Administrative affiliation: province of Mantova, region Lombardy, Italy.
  Administrative Status: The administrative center of the province of Mantova.
  Language: Italian.
  Ethnic composition: Italians.
Religion: Catholicism.
  Currency: Euro.
  Rivers: Mincio and Po.

Italy is one of many countries that have won wildly popular with tourists. A huge number of interesting cities, an impressive history, a unique culture, many attractions and entertainment have given good glory to this country. Among the large number of famous Italian cities, we want to highlight Mantua, known as the city of three lakes. You will find all the information necessary for a tourist in the submitted article.

Location and features of Mantua

Mantova (in Italian - Mantova) is a small city in Lombardy, which is famous for its history, developed industry and attractions. The city used to be an island, in the 12th century the Italians decided to regulate the course of the Mincio River, which is why Mantova turned into a peninsula surrounded by picturesque lakes.

Mantova is located just 150 km from Milan, 30 km from Verona, 80 km from Bologna, 160 km from Venice and 300 km from Rimini airport, where most Russian tourists arrive. The city can be reached by taxi, train or bus.

The mention of the city is present in the Shakespearean play “Romeo and Juliet,” where the main character, Romeo, is sent into exile from Verona to Mantova. The patron saint of the city is St. Anselm. Locals are not aggressive, they are friendly towards tourists.

Mantua History

Mantova is an ancient city, its history began in the 4th century BC. According to legend, the city was founded by Manto, the daughter of the soothsayer Tiresias, who, after the death of her father, fled from Thebes, settled in this area and turned impassable swamps into Mantua. From the point of view of historians, Mantova is a city of Etruscans, serving this people as a fortified center. In 388 BC the settlement was occupied by the Gauls, who were supplanted by the ancient Romans in 220 BC During Roman rule, Mantova was divided into centuries, and acted as an agricultural area.

In the IV-V centuries, the territory of Mantua was conquered by Germanic peoples. In the IX century, the city became the possession of the Franks. In 1116, the city underwent global changes, turning from an island into a peninsula. At the same time, Mantova was fortified with fortress walls.

For 55 years (since 1273) the city was ruled by the Bonacolsi family. During this period, Mantova was transformed. Significant buildings were erected on its territory, many of which we can see today.

In 1328, Bonacolsi was expelled from the city by the sovereign family of Gonzaga, who ruled Mantua until 1707. It was the Gonzaga dynasty that invited such great masters as Luca Fanchelli, Donatello, Luciano de Laurano, Leon Batista Alberti and others. Famous architects erected 5 city gates, the Basilica, expanded the Doge and Broletto palace, and also strengthened the city walls. Every year, Mantova was replenished with new works of art, until in 1630 the city was struck by a plague.

In 1707, Mantova became the possession of the Austrians, who turned it into a fortified city. In 1866, the territory of the city was annexed to Royal Italy. Since then, the phrase Mantova - Italy, has become inextricable.

Overview of hotels Mantua

All hotels in this glorious town have good visitor reviews. In Mantua there are a sufficient number of comfortable hotels for the traveler's various financial possibilities. There are also guest, farm and country houses, hostels, motels and apartments that can be rented.

Among the popular hotels in the Italian city, I would like to highlight the following:

1. Hotel Casa Poli - A 4-star small hotel located in a 19th-century building with a garden and courtyard. It offers free Wi-Fi, air-conditioned apartments with satellite TV. Room rate includes complimentary breakfast. The hotel is located in the central part of Mantova. In the immediate vicinity are the Palazzo Ducale and the Cathedral.
  2. Hotel dei Gonzaga - 3-star hotel, built on Piazza Sordello, next to Mantua Cathedral and Doge's Palace. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning and TV. It offers free Wi-Fi throughout the building. The price includes a complimentary breakfast buffet.
  3. Hotel Broletto - 3-star hotel located 20 meters from the residence of Broletto and 0.2 km from the Basilica of St. Andrey. The rooms have a minibar, air conditioning and a TV. Visitors can use free Wi-Fi, breakfast is not included in the apartment price.
  4. La Favorita - 4-star hotel located in the eponymous shopping center, 2 km from the historic city. Guests are offered a wide range of services for the selection of excursions and recreational activities. All rooms have first-class amenities.
5. Casa Museo Palazzo Valenti Gonzaga is a guest house in the center of Mantua, featuring themed apartments with stone walls and frescoes in Renaissance style. The building is located near the Basilica of St. Andrew, the castle of San Giorgio, the Palazzo Ducale and the Palazzo Te. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TV, fridge and laptop. Visitors enjoy free Wi-Fi. This house also offers free access to the Valenti Gonzaga Museum and bicycles.

The hotels described above are among the best tourist destinations in Mantua. For a more complete picture of the city's hotels, we recommend visiting profile sites offering room reservation services.

Shopping in Mantua

For shopping lovers, Mantova is of particular interest. The city has boutiques of many famous brands: Chanel, Sandro Ferrone, MaxMara co Sportmax, Macbeth, Scylab Outlet, etc.

In the very center of the city is the Carrefour supermarket, which delights visitors with affordable prices, fresh products and first-class service. In addition, in the vicinity of Mantova there is an Outlet Village, in the territory of which you will find 110 shops with various goods and prices.

Shopaholics around the world are eager to visit the numerous outlets that Italy has. Mantova, with its established trading industry, is no exception.

Best Food & Restaurants in Mantua

For sweet tooth lovers of wine and gastronomic tourism adherents, Mantova will become one of the favorite Italian cities. We recommend visiting the following restaurants in the city:

1. Pappa Reale di Pozzi Daniele;
2. Lo Scalco Grasso;
3. Carlo Govi \u200b\u200bRistorante;
4. Trattoria La Stella;
5. Osteria Dell’Oca;
6. Taverna Cinquecento;
7. Giallozucca;
8. Agriturismo Corte Bersaglio;
9. Antica Osteria ai Ranari ;.
10. Tiratappi.

All tourists visiting Mantua should try the following dishes:

• Pumpkin ravioli are among the first courses. Locals cook it on Christmas Eve, but you can easily find this dish in the menu of all restaurants in the city.
• Agnoli - the first dish consisting of broth and pork filling.
• Alla Pilota - the first dish with traditional Italian pesto sauce and mouth-watering sausages.
• Stracotto d-asino (donkey stew) - the second dish, which is prepared from pickled donkey meat.
• Pike with sauce - the second dish that will appeal to lovers of seafood.
• Salami Mantua - appetizer with garlic and allspice.
• Cheeses Parmigiano and Grana Padano - you can taste these snacks only in Mantua.
• Mostarda di mele is a mustard recipe made by the Gonzaga family.
• Sbrisola - the famous Mantova cake, consisting of sugar, yellow and white flour, almond crumbs, butter and yolk.
• Helvetia cake is a traditional dessert of the city, which has been prepared since the beginning of the 18th century.
• Wine Lambrusco and Sprintz - the most popular wines of Mantua.

The cuisine of Mantova impresses guests with its variety, mouth-watering look and taste. Do not miss the opportunity to try the best dishes of the northern Italian city in its best restaurants.

Mantua Holidays

When planning to visit Mantova in a given season, be sure to check out the festivities that cope in the city and its suburbs during this period.

• September. This month, tourists can visit the grape festival, city day and the Gonzaga Millennial Fair.
• November. Feast in honor of Our Lady of Casalmore. The second name for this celebration is the chicken festival.
• February. State Carnival, which is held in many Italian cities.
• March or April. Easter, traditionally residents of the city dress up in historical costumes and hold a parade.
• May. Feast of San Bernadino.
• June. Rice Festival, as well as a celebration in honor of St. Peter and Paul.
• July. Governolo celebration, fair in Wadana.
• August. Sacro e profane festival, August city fair, Live Chess festival.

Attractions Mantova

Of course, most travelers visit the city for its sights. Their detailed description is presented below.

Science park

An interesting place (both for children and adults), located on the embankment of the Mincio River. In addition to the advantages of natural conditions, tourists will have the opportunity to increase their knowledge of physics and become a member of many intellectual entertainments. On the territory of the park, there are installed operating samples of various mechanical devices with which you can calculate the amount of energy of the body, get acquainted with scientific paradoxes, learn the principles of operation of the presented exhibits, etc.

Palace of the Mind

This building has another name - the Palace of Justice. It is located 0.2 km from the Palazzo Ducale. The palace is considered the largest medieval building built in the 13th century. Until the end of the 18th century, it served as a venue for legal proceedings. The building was restored several times and changed its appearance with the help of attached architectural elements, including the clock tower (XV century). Of particular interest to the city guests are unique 13th-century murals and sundials. Today, the building houses the city museum, restaurants and shops.

Clock tower

This building, attached to the Palace of the Mind in 1473, is worth considering in more detail. The tower was built by the design of Luca Fanchelli. The main value of this building is the watch, which was established in 1493 by astrologer, mechanic and mathematician Bartolomeo Manfredi. The watch has undergone numerous restoration work, but still functions today. This “mechanical miracle” shows not only time, but also the phases of the moon, the current date, as well as the position of the zodiac constellations and planets. Under the clock, in a special niche, is a statue of the Madonna. Underneath is a marble balcony.

Bibien Science Theater

The building is named after its creator - Antonio Bibiena. The scientific theater was built 2 years: from 1767 to 1769. The building is made in the Baroque style, the interior is equipped with 4 tiers of semicircular lodges, which are separated by columns. There were performances, concerts, as well as debates, conferences, meetings and other scientific events, which is why the theater was called scientific. The facade of the building is made in the neoclassical style, and acquired its current appearance only in 1775. Today in the Bibien Theater you can visit the chic music concerts of local, nonresident and foreign performers.

Cathedral

Mantua Cathedral Petra is located in Piazza Sordello. During the time of Emperor Constantine, a small temple was located on the site of the building, which was regularly restored, altered, expanded and rebuilt. In 894 there was a fire in the temple, the building itself was destroyed. In the XIV-XV centuries, the building was rebuilt, in its place there was a magnificent cathedral in the Romanesque style, with the addition of chapels, a multi-colored marble facade in the Gothic style, and a red-brick bell tower with lancet window openings in the Romanesque style. In 1545, the temple was damaged during the fire; Giulio Romano and Giambattista Bertani were engaged in its restoration. In the middle of the XVIII century, the Gothic facade was replaced by the Barrocan style using Carrara marble. Inside the temple there are 2 rows of chapels, 5 naves and a large number of valuable works of art: frescoes of the Baptistery, canvases of famous Mantuan artists, the early Christian sarcophagus, etc.

Palazzo Ducale - Palace of the Dukes

It is an impressive architectural and monumental complex that served as the residence of all the rulers of Mantova. Palazzo Ducale is one of the largest architectural complexes in Europe. Its construction lasted for 4 centuries: from the end of the XIII to the beginning of the XVIII century. The Palazzo Ducale has an area of \u200b\u200b34 thousand square meters. m. and 500 rooms. The following facilities are located on the territory of the complex:

• The Palazzo del Capitano is the oldest part of the palace, built at the end of the 13th century. The building was erected at the direction of Guido Bonacolsi, whose family ruled Mantova from 1273 to 1328. Also to the ancient buildings of the Palazzo Ducale is the "Big House", which is connected to the Palazzo del Capitano with the help of courtyards and galleries called the "Old Courtyard".
• Castle of St. George - founded at the end of the 13th century by Bartolino da Novar. In the XV century, the Gonzaga family was established here, fulfilling the will of Louis II. The building has the shape of a square, 4 corner towers and drawbridges. As a result of reconstruction in 1459, the castle lost its defensive function. In the 60s-70s of the 15th century Andrea Martenia painted the “Marital Room” with frescoes.
• St. Basilica Barbarians - the building appeared in the 70s-80s of the XVI century according to the project of Jambatista Bertani. The basilica is decorated with 3 huge arches with a pediment located in the upper tier. Inside the church has 1 nave and side chapels, as well as a semicircular staircase that will lead guests to the altar.
• New Courtyard - designed by Luca Franchelli at the end of the 15th century. After 110 years, in 1595, the Ducal apartments were built here by the Cremonian architect Antonio Maria Viani. Today in the Hall of Archers you can see stunning paintings of secularized and closed monasteries and churches in Italy.

Palazzo Te

This building is the suburban residence of the rulers of Mantova. The palace was built by Giulio Romano in the mannerism style for the shortest possible time - 1.5 years (from 1524 to 1525). During the Middle Ages, he was on the island, around the structure there were spills of Mincio. Palazzo Te has a square shape, a wide courtyard and a beautiful facade decorated with flat pilasters. The interior is decorated with many valuable frescoes: “The Hall of the Giants”, “The Great Horse Hall”, “The Hall of Cupid and Psyche”. During the reign of the Austrians, the palace was looted, its premises were used as a barracks, which caused irreparable damage to the entire building. Today, visitors can see the frescoed walls of the palace, get acquainted with the collection of ancient medals and coins from the Gonzag dynasty, and also see the ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian collections.

Basilica of St. Andrey

This landmark is 0.2 km from the Palazzo Ducale, and is the largest church in the city. The basilica was built on the site of the Benedictine monastery in the Middle Ages. In 1472, Louis III of Gonzaga decided to rebuild the church, for which he invited the architect Leon Batista Alberti. The architect expanded the building, after which it began to receive a large number of pilgrims. In the temple was a vessel with the blood of Christ. This relic is still in the basilica. The facade of the building is an imitation of the ancient Roman triumphal arch of Titus. The roof of the church is decorated with a baroque dome, erected by Juvarra in the late XVIII century. Also in the building there is a bell tower made in the Gothic style. This building appeared on the territory of the temple at the beginning of the 15th century. The interior of the basilica is striking in its luxury and uniqueness. A huge 28-meter nave in the shape of a Latin cross is covered with a barrel vault. There are chapels on the sides of this architectural element, many of which are valuable artifacts. Also in the church there is a funeral chapel of Andrea Mantegna, a baptistery decorated with frescoes, an altar, a crypt, etc.

Rotunda St. Lawrence

The church is considered the oldest building of Mantova, erected in 1083, with some parts of the building dating back to the 4th century. Until 1579, the rotunda was the main parish church for local residents. In the indicated year, Guglielmo Gonzaga ordered the building to be closed, after which it was used as a warehouse, then the Jewish ghetto. In 1908, the rotunda began to be restored, in 1926 it was returned to its original use as a church. The rotunda is a centric structure created in the style of Romanesque architecture. It is decorated with a cornice with hanging arches and an apse, which resembles the model of the Jerusalem Temple of the Lord. Inside the building, tourists can see valuable frescoes that appeared in the interior in the XI-XII centuries.

Church of st. Sebastian

This building is located 0.2 km from Palazzo Te. The construction of the church was entrusted to Leon Batista Alberti in 1460. The end of construction dates back to 1529, completed the work of Luca Fanchelli. In 1706, the building began to be used as a warehouse, and later - as a granary and barracks. In 1925, the church was restored and turned into a mausoleum in memory of the participants of World War I. The facade of the building is equipped with a crypt, 4 pilasters, a front and a central window. Today you can see the ancient altar of the XVI century, the columns of the Tuscan order, as well as many magnificent architectural elements that have survived to this day.

Church of st. Francis

0.5 km from the Palazzo Ducale is an ancient church built in 1304. In the XV century, chapels were attached to it, the field of which she became the mausoleum of the Gonzaga family. Thanks to its purpose, the church was regularly replenished with valuable relics and works of art. In 1797, most of the exhibits were plundered by French soldiers, and the building itself turned into a barracks. After World War 2, the church was restored, the typical Lombard facade of the Gothic style was returned, the rose-shaped window, the portico and the side arched windows were restored. The interior of the building has preserved some frescoes dated to the XIV-XVI centuries.

Piazza Sordello

The largest square in Mantua, on which numerous historical buildings of the city are located. Its construction began in 1330, after the demolition of old buildings, the square was named after the troubadour and the Italian poet Sordello, who lived in the XIII century. On the territory of the square are the Palazzo Ducale, the Rigoletto House, the Bonacolsi Palace, the Mantua Cathedral, the Akerbi Palace and the Bishop's Palace.

Piazza delle Erbe

Located in close proximity to Piazza Sordello and Broletto. It is considered the main square of the city's historical center. The construction of the Piazzo delle Erbe coincided with the formation of Piazza Sordello. The Palazzo del Podesta was erected on the site of the old market. Also here is the Rotunda St. Lawrence, merchant houses and the Palace of the Council.

Brolleto Square

This attraction was built in the XII century, during the expansion of Mantova. Previously, in its place was a spacious courtyard on which livestock was traded. During the construction of the Palazzo Podesta (1227), the square was divided into 2 parts, which were called Piazza Erbe and Broletto. Later, the prison was attached to the palace in the form of a municipal tower, turning the Broletto Square into the administrative center of Mantova. Famous sights located here include the Municipal Tower, the Palace of Podest, as well as the houses of merchants. Today, there is a small market on the square.

Fashion District Outlet

The suburban village of Mantui is a paradise for shopaholic tourists. Its opening is dated 2003, Fashion District stores are filled with many goods of famous brands. At the same time, prices for goods do not bite. It often hosts promotions and sales where you can grab an expensive branded item with a discount of 30 to 80%.

Many stunning and interesting places are rich in Mantova. Italy, whose sights are world famous, is one of the best countries for curious and active tourists.

Mantova is the cultural capital of Italy in 2016. With this slogan we met a town on the banks of the Mincio River, which, although it belongs to the Lombardy region, reminded me of Veneto. From Venice there is water surrounding Mantua from almost all sides, and from the homeland of the selfless Shakespearean lovers - Verona - romance. After all, there are Romeo and Juliet who lived in the Neolithic Age ...

However, once Mantova was quite like Venice, since it was completely on the water, and canals passed through the city. However, constant floods destroyed the city, and one of the four lakes surrounding it was drained. Due to the increased humidity, now in the morning Mantuy is enveloped in impenetrable fog.

“Do not worry, the sun comes out at 11-12,” the girl assured us at the reception at the hotel with an accent that was unusual for my ear. And so it happened. The sun began to shine through the gray sky by noon: the Carrara marble, from which the facade of the Cathedral of Mantua was made, shone as if it had been thoroughly cleaned, tourists poured into the main square, and feathered inhabitants of Mantua appeared at the lake.

Get on the bank of the river opposite from the center to see the outlines of the city.

The Palace

Almost all the sights of Mantua are concentrated in one place. So, if you stand at one of them, you will see another near. Only the Palace of Te (Palazzo Te) stands out - a huge villa, made in the manner of Mannerism.

It may seem to a person who knows Italian that the name Palazzo Te in Mantua is somehow related to tea ( te  - “tea”). But this is not so. Just a few centuries ago at this place was a small river island Tayeto. From it the palace got its name. Served as a country house for the festive receptions of Prince Federic II Gonzaga, the Palazzo Te is now a museum. Ticket price - 12 euros, for children over 11 years old and students - 4 euros.

Eagle Gate

Before approaching the Te Palace, you will probably notice two arches, on the tops of which eagles sit. This is the Eagle Gate (Portali delle Aquile), which was designed by Bologna architect Giovanni A. Antolini in the early 19th century. But birds of prey on them "set" Veronet Gaetano Muttoni.

The price for parking in Mantua is 1 euro per hour. If you want to park for the whole day, then choose the giornalier rate o - 5 euros. Opposite Science Park there is free parking.

Grass area

Almost every Italian city has (or had) the so-called “grass square” - Piazza delle Erbe. This is the area where spices, vegetables, and fruits were once traded (hence erbe) and not only. In Mantua, several monuments are concentrated on Piazza delle Erbe and the neighboring Piazza Mantegna:

• Palace of the Mind  (Palazzo della Ragione) with the clock tower Torre dell’Orologio - the place where the elders of the city gathered ten centuries ago to resolve disputes between its inhabitants. A tower with a huge clock, which, by the way, still works properly - showing the time, month and phases of the moon - appeared next to the Palace in the 15th century.

There are restaurants on the ground floor of the Palazzo itself. Toward lunchtime, their employees begin offering discounted coupons to passers-by, but, as practice shows, the best Italian restaurants are always well hidden from view. Below I will tell you where to eat in Mantua.

• Rotunda of St. Lawrence  (Rotonda di San Lorenzo) is one of the most ancient attractions of Mantua. A round-shaped church appeared on this site in 1083, but it is believed that some of its parts existed in the 4th century. One way or another, the Rotunda remained the main city church for a long time, until one of the dukes of Gonzaga decided to close it in the 16th century. Abandoned, almost destroyed, it stood until the 1900s, when it was finally restored and reopened for church services.

• Basilica of St. Andrew  (Basilica di Sant "Andrea) is an unusually large church for such a small city. Large, not only because of its size, but also because of its purpose: it stores a vessel with the blood of Christ! They say that a Roman guard who pierced it brought here with the spear the side of the crucified Christ is Longin the Centurion.Later, Longin and the other warriors remained to guard the tomb of the Savior and saw with their own eyes how he had risen, from that moment believing in God.

Piazza Sordello

Despite the significance of the Basilica of St. Andrew in the Christian religion, another temple was chosen by the Cathedral of Mantua. The Duomo (as the Italians call the main city churches) - Duomo di Mantova - stands on Piazza Sordello.

The building of the cathedral is a hodgepodge This is due to the fact that the church was rebuilt more than once, elements were added to it, which (naturally) performed in the style that was popular at that time. The facade of the basilica is made of Carrara marble - one of the most valuable in the world. By the way, I once visited the mountains where it is mined, and I will definitely tell you about it!

On Sunday, across from Mantua Cathedral, you'll catch a flea market. If you like things with history, there is something to profit from here: bags, jewelry, coffee sets ... But even if you are not going to buy anything, you can simply nostalgia. For example, I found a 200-ruble note from childhood

Sordello Square got its name thanks to the cunning born here. The poet and musician Sordello kidnapped the wife of the ruler of Verona and hid with her in France. However, she was not opposed and generally famous for her profligacy. Other troubadours composed songs about the history of this couple, and Dante placed the character Sordello in his “Divine Comedy”.

Ducal palace

In addition to the Duomo, in Sordello Square you will see the Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale). As you already understood, the dukes of Mantua bore the name Gonzaga. Apparently, they liked to boast of their wealth if they built themselves a residence of 34 thousand square meters, which in its wealth can only compete with the Vatican.

Now in a huge Mantuan palace is a complex of museums. If you want to squeeze the maximum out of your trip, get a Mantova Card for 20 euros. Its price includes visiting the Palazzo Ducale complex (if you buy a ticket separately, it will cost 12 euros), a visit to the already mentioned Palace of the Mind and the Te Palace and several other objects in Mantua and the city of Sabbioneta close to it. This card is valid for 72 hours - enough to see both cities.

Lovers of Mantua

Unlike Romeo and Juliet, who have no evidence of real existence, the Amanti di Mantova lovers are the real ones to eat. At least they were that way 6,000 years ago. Two hugging skeletons, male and female, were found in 2007 in Valdaro, a quarter of the city of Mantova. At the time of burial, the guy was 18-22 years old, the girl - 16-20.

Rigoletto House

I'm a jester, I ... Rigoletto! The house of the court jester Rigoletto is nothing more than a bait for tourists. Well, sort of like Juliet’s balcony in Verona or Columbus’s house in Genoa. Rigoletto is the character of the opera of the same name by Giuseppe Verdi. He is the prototype of the real jester Tribulus, who amused the French king Francis I, which means he lived in France! The play “The King Amuses” about these two historical characters was written by Victor Hugo, but for some reason censorship did not allow them to be used in the opera written based on the play. Therefore, the French king, unexpectedly for all, turned into the Duke of Mantua, also not a saint, but the jester of Tribule - in Rigoletto.

The story is somehow quite sad, despite the fact that its main character is a jester. In short, there lived a depraved duke in Mantua, and his buffoon, knowing the lord's preferences, carefully hid his daughter Gilda from him. But, apparently, he didn’t hide very well ... Gilda, all dressed up as a student, the handsome duke, nevertheless met, and even succumbed to his sweet promises. Having learned about everything, Rigoletto decided to avenge his daughter's disgrace and hired a killer for an auger. Only the poor fellow did not take into account the fact that Gilda was in love with the duke. She decided to sacrifice herself to save his life. The girl dressed up in men's clothes, and a mercenary killed her, and the corpse in the bag brought Rigoletto ... Now in the house of Rigoletto there is a tourist office where you can take a map of the city. And in his courtyard is a statue of a sad jester.

Virgil Square

To begin with, Virgil, aka “Mantouan swan”, was an ancient Roman poet. In his hometown - Mantua - there is a square named after him - Piazza Virgiliana. During the reign of Gonzag, and this is the 14-18th century, there was a small port at this place. Now it is a park decorated with a monument from Carrara marble already familiar to us.

Many streets and squares in Mantua are paved with stones - set aside your beautiful stilettos while traveling

Earthquake madonna church

I agree, this is an unusual name for the church. It is explained by the fact that an earthquake really occurred in Mantua in 1693. The townspeople, feeling the tremors, began to ask the Theotokos for protection, and it seems that she heard them. The shocks ceased, and in 1754, the Church of the Earthquake Madonna (Chiesa della Madonna del Terremoto) appeared on Piazza Canossa Square.

Castle  saint  George

Castle of St. George (Castello di San Giorgio), built at the beginning of the 15th century, is part of the same Ducal Palace. But I suggest you go around the already familiar Sordello square with its sights and go beyond the historical center of Mantua, to the Mincio River. From this angle, the castle seems just a whopper.

It is a pity that we were not able to see his main asset - the Matrimonial Room (Camera degli sposi) - they didn’t let him in. The artist Andrea Mantegna painted the walls and ceiling of this room, which made his name famous for centuries. Still would! At that time, people had no idea what 3D is. Here's a picture from the Internet so you can understand what the Marriage Room looks like.

A park  science

Along the promenade of Mincio there is a place where you can walk and learn at the same time - Science Park (Parco della Scienza). Kids and adults can chat with their echoes through a long pipe, see how several lines “turn” into a triangle if you look at them from the right angle, and find different profiles in the same picture. Here is what you, for example, saw in these images?

The first hid an elderly man and two lovers, and the second a young girl and an old woman. Could you make out? Write in the comments!

What and where to eat in Mantua?

As promised, I reveal secrets where you can enjoy delicious food in the city of Mantova. Restaurant Gialll Zucca (rating 4.5 / 5 on Google) is located at Corte dei Sogliari, 4. The name is apparently associated with the favorite literary genre of the host institution - “giallo” in Italy are called detectives, and there are a lot of them in the institution. And “zucca” - that is, pumpkin - is most likely due to the fact that the inhabitants of Mantua use this vegetable in local cuisine.

Lunch or dinner at Gialló Zucca will cost you 30-40 euros, if you take the first, second and dessert. Add to this the service charge - coperto  - 2.50 euros per person. The menu here changes every month, but there are always traditional Mantuan dishes. Such as, tortellidizuccaalburro,salviaegranapadano  - dumplings with pumpkin, butter, sage and local cheese Grana Padano. Or crumbly cake sbrisolona

Mantova amazes with its calm and equanimity. In the morning the city is covered with foggy haze, but this not only does not spoil it, but also gives charm. And peace is granted to passers-by. If you ever find yourself in a difficult situation, and tigers scratch your soul, just come here for a week or two. It will be cheaper than going to a therapist, believe me

Mantova (Mantova) - the capital of the province of Lombardy in Italy, as well as just an unusually beautiful and majestic city surrounded by water. Mantova is a city in the planning and development of which the main ideals of the Italian Renaissance were embodied.

Initially, Mantova was on the island. In the 12th century, work was carried out to change the channel of the Mincio River, and the city ended up on the peninsula. The lake was divided by dams into three parts: Lago Superiore, Lago Mezzo and Lago Inferiore. Mantova is constantly shrouded in a slight haze due to high humidity, which gives the city a special mysterious atmosphere.

In Mantua, Verdi's opera Rigoletto takes place. You can understand the slutty duke, who was constantly in a romantic mood in this wonderful city ...

One of the most famous monuments of Mantua is the Palazzo del Te Palace. The palace was built in the 16th century by a student of Raphael Giulio Romano. Romano painted the walls of the palace with frescoes, still amazing.

The Palazzo del Te Palace is located on the outskirts of Mantua. On this trip, we did not visit the palace.

The day was very hot, we started a walk around the Old Town in the evening.

The old city is surrounded by a fortress wall. Along the wall - continuous parking, which is very convenient. Inside are several small walkways.

The streets of Mantua are hard enough to walk. The streets are paved with stones, but the masonry is not trampled at all. Perhaps the work was done recently ...

Mantua is patronized by St. Anselm, the celebration of the City Day is held annually on March 18.

As you approach the city center, houses get taller and more beautiful.

The historic center of Mantua is protected by UNESCO.

The Basilica di Sant Andrea occupies a special place in the list of attractions in Mantua. A very beautiful building dating back to the 15th century harmoniously combines several different styles - from Gothic to Baroque.

Sant Andrea - the largest cathedral of Mantua, it houses the Sacred Relics - vases with the blood of Christ collected from the wound of the Savior by the Roman legionnaire Longinus.

Every year on Good Friday in the Cathedral of St. Andrea, the opening ceremony of 12 caskets is held in which relics are stored in the underground crypt. The keys are held by the church authorities and the administration of the city of Mantova.

Then short relics are located at the foot of the statue of the crucified Christ on the left side of the apse of the cathedral. In the evening, a brief procession takes place around the city, after which the relics again take their place in the caskets in the dungeon.

Next to Sant Andrea is the rotunda of San Lorenzo - the oldest church in Mantua. The rotunda was built in the 11th century and is dedicated to the great martyr Lawrence. The external and internal appearance of the temple is almost a copy of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

The main cathedral of the city (Duomo di Mantova) is the Basilica of St. Peter. The cathedral was built at the end of the 15th century; it was repeatedly restored after fires.

The Palazzo della Ragione with the clock tower is part of the Palazzo Ducale complex of palaces and structures.

The Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace) in Mantua was built over 400 years and includes many buildings. Representatives of the ruling dynasty of Gonzaga are constantly expanding their main residence.

The total area of \u200b\u200ball the premises of the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua is over 34,000 square meters. In addition, the complex includes 15 gardens and courtyards. The palace is comparable in its wealth with the Vatican.

Rigoletto's house in Mantua is an artificial attraction, because according to the plot of the opera, the jester lived outside the city. But tourists like it.

Inside the house of Rigoletto is now a travel agency.

In 1978, a bronze jester statue was placed in the courtyard of the house.

Mantua has a great many interesting structures, courtyards, towers and galleries.

Mantua was also not spared by the epidemic of building high towers in the Middle Ages. Very few have survived here. Pictured is the tower of Torre della Gabbia.

The Palazzo Ducale at sunset seemed even larger.

The oldest part of the Palazzo Ducale palace is Castello di San Giorgio, the castle of St. George. A classic castle from fairy tales surrounded by water.

We left Mantua in the morning, taking panoramic shots goodbye.

You must come to this extraordinary city at least for a couple of days to inspect it properly. But in Italy there are many such places, and there is never time for a thorough inspection ...

Mantova. Italy.

Modern Mantova is a vibrant and tourist city, it is picturesquely surrounded by lakes.
  Such a water system developed in the 12th century, when the architect and engineer Alberto Pitentino proposed organizing the defense of the city using the Mincio River. So around the residential center four lakes appeared - Superiore, Mezzo, Inferiore and Payolo, making Mantua an island that connected to the "mainland" with two bridges.

From the railway station we will pass along the avenue corso Vittorio Emanuele IIwhich leads piazza Andrea Mantegna. Meets us here basilica of St. Andrew (Basilica di Sant "Andrea), designed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1472. After 328 years, the dome was built on the drawings by Filippo Juvarra.
   The crypt contains sacred vases with the blood of Christ, which the Roman centurion Longin brought to Mantua.
  Longinus, by order of Pilate, pierced Christ’s side with a spear, at that moment an eclipse of the sun and an earthquake occurred, and the centurion believed in Christ. In addition, Longin ran a hand stained with the blood of Christ through his sore eyes, and they became healthy. Legend says that Longin brought the collected blood to his hometown.
  In one of the chapels of the basilica buried painter Andrea Mantegnawho died in Mantua in 1506.

To the right of the basilica extends grass Square (Piazza delle Erbe), which takes its name from the fruit and vegetable market located here.

Flower market in the square.

The oldest building of the square and the city is round church of St. Lorenzo.

Church of St. Lorenzo and Clock Tower.

Church of St. Lorenzo (Rotonda di San Lorenzo) was built in the XI century. by order of Matilda di Canossa, traces of Byzantine frescoes were preserved inside. Matilda di Canossa was a powerful and influential woman of the Middle Ages, she mediated between Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV, excommunicated and so derogatoryly asked for forgiveness.

The interior of the church of St. Lorenzo.

Near the church rises Clock Tower, dating back to the XV century. The clock also shows the lunar phases and in which zodiac constellation the sun is.

Clock.

Move on to piazza Sordello.
  On the Piazza sordello  the main buildings of Mantua are concentrated.
  Entering the square through the arch, a beautiful view of the Cathedral, made in the Gothic style, opens.

To the right of the cathedral - Ducal palace  - The city residence of the Gozag family, a huge complex consisting of a maze of rooms and corridors.
Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale). Piazza Sordello, 4
  Closed on January 1, May 1, December 25 and Mondays.
  Open 8.45 - 19.15. The ticket is 6.5 euros.

Lived here Isabella D'Este  - The most famous Marquise of Mantua. Isabella d'Este was born in Ferrara, she was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Ferrara and the older sister of the equally famous Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan. Isabella d "Este received a good education and at the age of 16 she married the 25-year-old Francesco II Gonzaga. Isabella d" Este was beautiful, smart, well-read and witty. She was fond of art and patronized artists and poets. Leonardo da Vinci, Andrea Mantegna, Perugino, Correggio, Tizin, Rafael and others visited her palace.
  Isabella d "Este loved jewelry and knew how to dress with style. Beautiful and stylish, she quickly became the" first woman "of the Renaissance. However, the English writer Henry Morton, a fine observer and tireless to explore historical characters, notes that Isabella d" Este was arrogant , a punchy and bitchy woman who did not help the dying poor Mantegna, but bargained with him for a bust of Faustina. She went through art studios and swept away everything that she liked. And if it came to shopping, then Isabella d "Este wrote in an orderly tone to find her an animal skin with a head for a coupling.
  When her husband Francesco died in 1519, the throne was inherited by the eldest son of Isabella Federico. But he was still small, so Isabella d'Este became a regent and continued to rule the country. During this time, the position of Mantua strengthened.
  Isabella d'Este died in 20 years, she was buried in the church of St. Paul in Mantua, but her remains disappeared from the grave.

Ducal palace

At the end of Piazza Sordello is rigoletto's house  - the character of Verdi's opera of the same name. This building hosts art exhibitions.

Turn right and see castle of St. Geogrios (Via San Giorgio), which was built in 1395 to protect the city, but in 1459 the castle was transformed into the residence of Fanchelli. Mantegna designed the castle inside.

We walk along the walls and the embankment, then turn right onto via Trieste.
  After crossing the channel, turn right onto via Gilberto Goithen left on via Massari  and right to via XX Settembrewhich leads to Piazza Martiri di Belfiore. Previously, a church towered along the post office building on the square, but it was destroyed. The only thing left of the church is the statue of the Saint, mounted on the bridge. This entire area was rebuilt at the beginning of the XIX century. Let's go towards the Fish Market, covered with a number of porticoes. Here they traded fish caught in lakes and brought to the market through canals in boats. On the other hand were meat shops.
  We continue our route along via G.Chiassi.
  At the crossroads with via Poma  is church of saint barnab. The modern building dates back to the 18th century, and the first news of the church dates from 1268. Giulio Romano was buried in the church, but his grave was lost.
  Let's go through via Poma.
  Where the street widens on the left will be giulio Romano's house, built in 1544, but later rebuilt. A statue of Mercury and a ram is installed above the front doors - this is the coat of arms of the Giulio Romano family. Now the house is privately owned and cannot be visited.
  The real name of the brilliant architect, painter and draftsman was Giulio Pippi, the nickname Romano meant "Roman", because He was born in Rome. Giulio Romano was one of Raphael's most talented students. Under the leadership of Raphael, he worked on frescoes in the Vatican and in the villa of Farnesin in Rome, he also painted several paintings and completed many of the unfinished works of his teacher.
  In 1524, Giulio Romano arrived in Mantua at the invitation of the Marquis Federico II Gonzaga. He was appointed chief architect of the palace buildings of Gonzag. In Mantua, Giulio Romano painted murals for the ducal palace, depicting scenes from the myth of Diana and from the history of the Trojan War. But the main creation was the Palazzo Those to whom we are going. Giulio Romano died in Mantua on November 1, 1546.
  At the intersection with via Giovanni Acerbi  turn right.
  Let's go ahead and see the dominant on the right. temple of St. Sebastian, built in 1460 according to the design of Leon Battista Alberti. Later, a warehouse was arranged in the church, but at the beginning of the XIX century. again for religious purposes.

Temple of St. Sebastian

Almost opposite the church is the red brick house No. 47, known as house Mantegna.
Andrea Mantegna  was a court painter since 1457 and the Marquis Louis Gonzaga gave him a piece of land. A red brick house with a unique cylindrical courtyard can be visited.
  It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 15 to 18. Admission is free if there are no exhibitions.

Cross Viale Risorgimento  and viale Isonzowhere there are two portals with eagles. From here begins the garden belonging to the palace. An alley surrounded by trees leads to palazzo Te, which is another symbol of Mantua.
  The palace was erected in 1525-35. Giulio Romano for Federico Gonzaga. The quadrangular palace is located on an island formed by a canal. The canal was surrounded by gardens, fountains, statues and trees, and in the center was the Te palace.
  In subsequent centuries, the palace was used as a barracks. Gardens, fountains and statues were destroyed. Why do soldiers need them?

The Palace

The palace was later restored. Now there is a museum with eight rooms where you can admire the works of Giulio Romano and other artists.

Mantua Cuisine

Mantovana  - A typical round Mantua bread made from soft wheat.
Sorbir d "agnoli or bevr" in vin  - soup, in the broth of which wine is added, and then pasta or tortelli, for example, with pumpkin (Tortelli di zucca).
  Among the second typical dishes it is worth noting pike (luccio)  and donkey or horse stew (Stracotto d "asino, Stracotto d" cavallo).

Mantovan cuisine.