Visit Volta Mantovana, Tourism and travel tips

A trip in Mantova: places to visit!

Mantova (20,6Km)

A trip in Mantova: places to visit!

Thinking of taking a vacation to Mantova? Well, Mantova also known as Mantua is an Italian city and the capital of Mantova province in the region of Lombardy. In 2008 the city was declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has a population of approximately 50,000 inhabitants and is predominantly a major tourist destination.

Imperatively the city is surrounded on its three sides by river Mincio, a concept that makes the city a major attraction and an agricultural Center. The city used to be owned for over 400 years by the influential Gonzaga family and remained of the most vital cultural cities during the renaissance period. It still has the same famous monumental building to date. With its continental climate, it is usually warm during the summers and cold during the winter. During the fall and spring the temperature can be said to be favorable. Thus if you are intending to take a vacation to the city, then summer will be the perfect period. With it fascinating resorts, monuments and scenaries, you are assured of a fascinating experience worth your time and money. Just remember to carry with you a camera to capture this fun filled moments with your loved ones. This article will provide a guide to some of the best sites you can visit while at Mantova as well as available accommodation and best modes of transport.

Places to visit

Mantova is rich in cultural heritage and fascinating monuments. These are a must visit places whilst at Mantova.

• For visitors traveling before June 27, you can take part in the exhibitions showcasing different and unique exhibition of tapestries, which once belonged to the Gonzaga family. One of the tapestries is the Gli arazzi dei Gonzaga nel Rinascimento.This can be found in the Palazzo Te, Museo di Palazzo Ducale and the Museo Diocesano Francesco Gonzaga. It contains 34 tapestries. The exhibition will cost you somewhere between 8 to 10 euro.

• Visit the Il Palazzo Ducale, Piazza Sordello. This is no doubt the main attraction in Mantova as you will notice the moment you get to Mantova due to its size and artistic appearance. The build is such a marveling beauty comprising a mixture of both renaissance and medieval architecture. The building was once the home of Gonzaga family reportedly from 1328 to 1707 .It has more than 500 rooms and thus a visit to such a monument will definitely be worth considering. Visiting the building will probably cost you around € 6.50. The building is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:45Am to 7:15 Pm Italian time. You are strongly advisable book in advance due to the number of visitors expected. It should take you three hours but the most important room, worth visiting is the Camera degli Sposi, known for its famous Mantegna paintings.

• You will also need to visit Basilica Di Sant'Andrea, piazza L.B. Alberti or piazza Andrea Mantegna. The big cathedral is believed to have been built in 1472 by the famous architect Leon Battista Alberti. This architect is considered to be a pioneer of the renaissance architecture.

• Duomo Di Mantova, Piazza Sordello. This is the Mantova city’s main church or cathedral. It is adorned with statues on the outside and reflects a neoclassical architectural look comprising of different styles such as the renaissance, baroque and the Romanesque. Well you must have heard of mummy and yes you will find them in the side chapel where mummified priest bodies dating as old as 1100AD will be found.

• Palazzo Del Te or Palazzo Te .This is a magnificent palace built in 1525 by duke of Mantova .It can be found at the far end of Mantova. The palace was built importantly as a place of fun for the duke. The palace represents the mannerist architectural style pioneered by architect genius Giulio Romano. The palace is renowned as an international center of art and culture. The Palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and is magnificently decorated.

• Visit the Rotonda di San Lorenzo, the city’s oldest church. The church is believed to have been built in the late 11Th century. The church is believed to have been built on a site, where a Roman Empire temple dedicated to Venus once stood. The church is located south of Basilica di Sant’Andrea, opposite Piazza delle Erbe.

• Also visit Chiesa di San Francesco. This is one of the ancient churches located near the railway station. So if you happen to have travelled by rail, this should be your first stop from the railway station. The church is quite big and offers a great atmosphere for relaxation. With the ornamental windows and the wooden roof, you sure will be treated to a magnificent building reflecting a sense of simplicity.

• Casa Mantegna: It is believed that the building was built in 1476.Having been given the land by the Gonzaga family in the year 1476, Andrea Mantegna came up with a masterpiece. The building is currently used as an exhibition space. It is comprised of a number of rooms. The rooms are built around a unique cylindrical patio.

As you visit remember to visit the magnificent gardens in the city square and the market in Piazza Erbe. The market is usually open on Thursday and you sure will be spoiled for choice as it offers variety of cheap products.

How to arrive

For visitors traveling to the city, they can either go by air, bus or even rail. However the choice you make can be influenced from your place of origin or even other factors such as enjoying sceneries along the way. In the latter traveling by rail, especially for tourists from countries such as Germany and Austria is more pleasant.

Air

Well if you prefer to travel by air, the nearest airport to the city is the Valerio Catullo Airport. If you connect via this airport it should take you 25 minutes to the city. The airport is located near Verona and thus you can easily access the Mantova city via the Brennero's Highway. Alternatively you can opt to connect from the Guglielmo Marconi Airport. The airport is located near Bologna and it should take you about 1 hour to the city. The third option will be the Orio al serio Airport located near Bergamo. However if you choose this option it will take you approximately one hour and half via the highway to reach Mantova city. You can easily get a cab from the airport. Imperatively you can opt for the Ryanair low cost transport services, which are available in the three airports.

Train

Mantova is connected to a modern railway system and thus can easily be accessed via rail. There are train from Verona which can connect from Venice, Austria and Germany. Also there is a local train from Milan to Mantova. This train has connection with travelers from France, Switzerland and Turin. The other train is the one from Modena and with connection with travelers from Firenze, Bologna and parts of southern Italy. Thus if you are seeking a cheaper alternative to air travel, then you can connect via train especially if you are from the listed regions.

Bus

There is a main bus station just near the Mantova train station. Ones of the main buses providing transport services include APAMS. The buses travel across the Mantova province and thus provide bus services connecting the city from the other parts of the province and cities such as Mirandola and Brescia. You can easily access the timetables through Google maps

What to do in Mantova?

Discover Mantova activities

scritto da Bridget Brackett - ultima modifica il 21/12/2019

Discover Mantova activities

Mantova (20,6Km)

Discover Mantova activities

Activities

There are a number of activities you can engage in while in the city.

• Festivaletteratura

If you are lucky to be visiting during September, you will witness the five day activity involving reading, open-air bookstalls and discussions. Well, while most of discussions are in Italian, there are some in English. • Motonavi Andes: Interested in taking boat rides? Motonavi Andes organizes among other boat tours on the three artificial lakes situated outside the city. For the lake boat tours, charges are based on hours with a 1hour 30 minutes ride costing about €8.Also there are five hour excursions to san Benedetto as well as trips to Venice. The boat usually will depart from the Imbarco Motonavi Andes .It is situated behind on Lago di Mezzo’s shore just behind the Castello di San Giorgio.

• Parco del Mincio

This involves cycling along the city streets. If cycling is your thing and are interested in exploring the streets of Mantova, you can obtain a book from the tourist office, which details cycling routes. The book in English version, will offer valuable information as you plan to cycle within the town. For instance, it provides information on cycling along the Po river, in the Parco del Mincio and the lakes.

• Eco-tour

In Mantova the local boat owner on request, usually arrange Eco themed trips. These trips will take you to the unexplored water ways.

• The city Jazz festival

If you are a lover of jazz music then visiting Mantova from March to May, offers you the opportunity to be part of the jazz festivity held annually.

Food

Mantova is renowned for her specialties; as you explore the magnificent and beautiful city, you can rest assured that you will have plenty of food specialties to choose from. Some of the famous specialties include luccio in salsa and pike in green sauce. Other food include a distinct pasta tortelli di zucca, which is a tortelli filled with squash and pumpkins, mostarda and amaretti cookies. Imperatively Mantova is a rice growing region and thus you will find risotto dishes in most restaurants. The city has many restaurants offering great dishes. Some of the restaurants you can visit include

• Ristorante Masseria

This is one of the best restaurants in the city. The restaurant is renowned for its delicious tortelli di zucca. Other specialties offered in the restaurant include; Mantuan beef stew with Lambrusco and polenta as well as platters served with local cheese. You can opt to dine in the magnificent 13th century dining room or in the cobbled square. The dining room overlooks the 15th century fresco.

• Osteria della Fragoletta

The restaurant offers variety of dishes and has great service. The waiter and the employees will definitely make you feel at home. Also, the restaurant wine list selection is superb. They offer traditional menu which may include salame mantovano con pane caldo appetizers, tortino di zucca su fonduta di formaggi and pumpkin soufflé on cheese fondue, horse meat stew with polenta.

• Giallozucca

This great restaurant has a funky appeal .It is located in a small, gorgeous courtyard; the short menu takes a artistic approach to Mantovan cuisines, such as green ravioli served with duck or purple cabbage risotto. • Grifone Bianco. Another excellent hotel offering gastronomic cuisines. This restaurant is civilly old-fashioned and distinctive restaurant, offering well-crafted customary dishes such as pumpkin tortelli and beef. You are advisable to eat outside especially opposite the magnificent illuminated Basilica. Some of the features that make this hotel stand out are the plates, made of local salami and polenta.

Tips

• Please ensure you visit the tourism office when you arrive.

• Mantova just like any other ancient town has narrow streets and driving within the city is near impossible. So if you are driving you can park outside the older city near the wall and then walk to the city square. This should not take you more than 10 minutes.

• For best accommodation advice or any other valuable advice, you can visit the local tourist office. Imperatively, have a guide showing the different places, you seek to visit. If you are in groups, you might need to get a local tour guide to take you around the city.

• Carry bug spray with you, especially if traveling in the summer or spring.

• Always book your place of accommodation in advance.

• Mantova is not known for its great night life club life, but you can visit the local lakes for great fun.

For other information about Mantova:

A trip in Mantova: places to visit!

scritto da Bridget Brackett - ultima modifica il 27/10/2019

Art and culture