The tales say that Mantova was founded by the soothsayer Manto, who fleeingThebesstopped on the bank of the River Mincio and set up the city. Mantova has got its origin in a legend, but its existence has been already attested in the Etruscan Age and then at the time of the Imperator August, because it has been the birthplace of the famous Roman poet Virgilio. The city experienced splendour becoming the capital of the huge territory of the Countess Matilde ofCanossaand its success reached its heyday during the government of the Gonzaga Dukes (1328-1707). In this time the city already full of palaces, churches, markets and workshops was further enriched and come to be the real pulsing centre of the great relationships’ net built by the Gonzaga.
The classic tour of Mantova will begin in Piazza Sordello, the oldest settlement of the city and then its political and administrative core. Several important buildings overlook on this square: firstly the Palazzo Ducale, the huge palace (34.000mq) where lived the Gonzaga. The guide will take you trough the numerous interior courtyards to get the general idea of how big it is! Still in Piazza Sordello you will admire the Cathedral, the Bonacolsi’s and the Castiglione’s Palaces and finally the Rigoletto’s House. This really small and cosy building was for long time the residence of the canons of the cathedral and now is the seat of the tourist office, but for the people of Mantova it is the place where lived Rigoletto, the character of the famous Verdi’s Opera. The tour will go on with the visit of the small but full of atmosphere Piazza Broletto, where there is the medieval Palace of the Podestà with the noteworthy Lattonai’s Patio and Virgilio’s statue. Then you will see the Piazza Erbe with the stately Palazzo della Ragione, the Clock Tower and the circular Church of S.Lorenzo, commissioned by Matilde of Canossa to resemble the Holy Sepulchre. To finished the city tour you can’t miss the Basilica ofS.Andrea, Renaissance masterpiece of Leon Battista Alberti, where is kept the precious relic of the Blood of Christ.
If required, is possible to have lunch in a local restaurant with traditional menu.
In the afternoon, if required, is possible to do a boat trip on the lakes near Mantova, that was in the past a real lake island and that still conserves a peninsular shape.
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Partita IVA 01428530388 - C.F NGLLRI66L56D548L - Numero REA - Camera di Commercio Ferrara 166627/1998
Sede legale e amministrativa Via Sgarbata 298 Ferrara Licenza agenzia di viaggio: autorizzazione Provincia di Ferrara n. 102131 del 02 Dicembre 2008