Half-Day Guided Tour: Mantua City Centre & Ducal Palace

Highlights

• Private Tour with Local Guide
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• 3-Hour Duration

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Palazzo Ducale di Mantova

   1h

   Declared World Heritage site by UNESCO, Mantua is home to Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace) built by the Gonzagas who became one of Italy's leading Renaissance families. Symbol of Mantua, this 35,000-sq-metre palace is made of buildings, galleries, inner courts, gardens and a castle. Even if it is famous for Mantegna's frescos in the Camera degli Sposi (Bridal chamber), it also boasts many other architectural and painted elements.

2. 2

   Castello San Giorgio (Mantua)

   30min

   The castle’s greatest treasures are tucked away inside, like the Camera Picta (The bridal chamber). This room was turned into a work of art realized by Andrea Mantegna, one of the most important Reinassence painter. The stunning frescoes give visitors the impression of being in an open portico overlooking the beautiful countryside.

3. 3

   Piazza Sordello

   20min

   Piazza Sordello is a large square surronded by some of the most important historic buildings of the city like the Ducal Palace, the cathedral and the Bishop's seat

4. 4

   Piazza Broletto

   10min

   This was the medieval political square where the communal palaces were build like the old town hall and the Massaro's seat. Under the big arch it is possible to see the 4 iron rings used for torturing

5. 5

   Piazza delle Erbe

   10min

   Bordered by the rear facade of the medieval town hall to the north and the Palazzo di Giustizia (courthouse) to the east, this square, named after the medieval fruit and vegetable market, is also dominated by a 15 century astrolabe and the romanesque church of Saint Laurence

6. 6

   Basilica di Sant'Andrea di Mantova

   10min

   Planned by Leon Battista Alberti It is one of the major works of 15th-century Renaissance architecture in Northern Italy. The façade made up of clasical architectural features conceals a single nave with barrel vaulting and walls painted in trompe-I'oeil. The first chapel on the left contains the tomb of Andrea Mantegna.

Before you go

Location