MANTUA: CLASSIC CITY CENTRE TOUR

Mantua surprises its visitors by her exceptional character. Small but spectacular, from every corner the city of Mantua offers an encounter with history and beauty. It is surrounded by beautiful environment, in which water and earth are unexpectedly interwoven. Settled by the Etruscans the city enjoyed a position of status in the early modern world that was further underlined by its association with Virgil, the great latin poet, born in Mantuan territory. 1198 the city optimized the Mincio river, creating the so-called four lakes. From the Middle Ages it was ruled by the art-loving Gonzaga dynasty, one of Italy s great Renaissance families who protected art and culture. Mantua rapidly became an important buffer state between Milan and Venice, and attracted leading lights such as Petrarch, Mantegna, Rubens, Giulio Romano. In 1707 Mantua was seized by the Habsburgs, ending Gonzaga-Nevers rule. Shakespeare Romeo heard of Juliet death in Mantua and Verdi set his opera Rigoletto in its melancholy fog-bound streets. ITINERARY Rigoletto’s House; San Giorgio Castle (exterior) Piazza Castello, Piazza Santa Barbara, Piazza Sordello with the façades of the Ducal Palace and Cathedral, Piazza Broletto, Piazza delle Erbe with San Lorenzo Church, the façade of the Merchant House, Piazza Mantegna with the Basilica of St. Andrew, Piazza Leon Battista Alberti former cloister of the St. Andrea monastery. Churches close at noon and re-open at 3 pm. During services it is forbidden to visit churches.

MANTUA: CLASSIC CITY CENTRE TOUR

Mantua surprises its visitors by her exceptional character. Small but spectacular, from every corner the city of Mantua offers an encounter with history and beauty. It is surrounded by beautiful environment, in which water and earth are unexpectedly interwoven. Settled by the Etruscans the city enjoyed a position of status in the early modern world that was further underlined by its association with Virgil, the great latin poet, born in Mantuan territory. 1198 the city optimized the Mincio river, creating the so-called four lakes. From the Middle Ages it was ruled by the art-loving Gonzaga dynasty, one of Italy s great Renaissance families who protected art and culture. Mantua rapidly became an important buffer state between Milan and Venice, and attracted leading lights such as Petrarch, Mantegna, Rubens, Giulio Romano. In 1707 Mantua was seized by the Habsburgs, ending Gonzaga-Nevers rule. Shakespeare Romeo heard of Juliet death in Mantua and Verdi set his opera Rigoletto in its melancholy fog-bound streets.

ITINERARY
Rigoletto’s House; San Giorgio Castle (exterior) Piazza Castello, Piazza Santa Barbara, Piazza Sordello with the façades of the Ducal Palace and Cathedral, Piazza Broletto, Piazza delle Erbe with San Lorenzo Church, the façade of the Merchant House, Piazza Mantegna with the Basilica of St. Andrew, Piazza Leon Battista Alberti former cloister of the St. Andrea monastery.

Churches close at noon and re-open at 3 pm. During services it is forbidden to visit churches.

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