Things to do near Country of Mantova Italy – what to see attractions and activities

Sabbioneta - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Ducale

The Palazzo Ducale, also known as Palazzo Grande, in Sabbioneta in the province of Mantua has an elegant facade and an ashlar portico placed on a raised level. The historic two-storey building overlooks Piazza Ducale. Historical chronicles note that in November 1559 a violent fire destroyed the original structure, it was rebuilt between 1560 and 1561. It represents the oldest of the buildings built by Vespasiano Gonzaga (1531-1591) (son of Rodomonte and Isabella Colonna.

Mantova - Museums

Museo Civico di Palazzo Te

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Te

Concocted in 1535 by Giulio Romano,it was the spectacular rustic villa Gonzaga of Risorgimento. The interior rooms were painted in large part by Giulio Romano. The palace now houses the Museo Civico di Palazzo Te.

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Ducale

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. The building is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:45Am to 7:15 Pm Italian time. It should take you three hours but the most important room, worth visiting is the Camera degli Sposi, known for its famous Mantegna paintings.

Mantova - Museums

Pinacoteca di Palazzo Ducale

The picture gallery of Palazzo Ducale is rich in paintings and other priceless objects, some of which survived the sale of the 1600s. Within the structure we can observe among the many, paintings made for monasteries and churches, such as “Gonzaga Family in Adoration of the Trinity” belonging to the year 1605 and many other paintings of the time.

Mantova - Museums

Museo di Palazzo Ducale

In the portion of the building open to the public can be visited the Hall of Sinopia, the courtyard of the Riding School and the Bridal Chamber.

Mantova - Streets and Squares

Piazza delle Erbe

Piazza delle Erbe is surrounded by buildings of considerable importance from various points of view. To the south we have the Merchant's House built in 1455 and followed the roundabout of San Lorenzo, Palazzo della Ragione, Torre dell'Orologio and finally the Palazzo del Podestà built around the twelfth century.

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di San Giorgio

The Castle of San Giorgio built between 1395 and 1406 by Francesco I of Gonzaga, has a square shape, 4 towers and surrounded by a moat and three doors equipped with drawbridge. Paolo Vitelli and Andreas Hofer were imprisoned inside his prisons in 1496 and in 1810. On the ground floor is the sun room; following the spiral staircase you reach the room of arms and at the same time there is the room of frescoes. Next we have the hall of acronyms, frieze, zodiac, bride and groom and the Hall of Hoods.

Mantova - Churches and places of worship

Basilica di Sant'Andrea

The Basilica of St. Andrew is designed by Leon Battista Alberti. Built in three centuries and ended in 1772, it preserves the sacred vases containing the blood of Christ.

Mantova - Churches and places of worship

Chiesa di San Sebastiano

San Sebastian Church was designed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1400, it is a solemn and austere church with a Greek cross plan and covered with a cross vault. Today the church is used as a memorial chapel.

Mantova - Museums

Museo Civico d'Arte

It was born in 1962. The history of the museum is linked to the Academy of Fine Arts. Collections are preserved with historical and cultural and artistic works by artists from Modena. It is divided into two sections, an archaeological-ethnological one and the historical and artistic one.

Mantova - Walls, towers and gates

Torre della Gabbia

The cage tower was built around the thirteenth century by the Bonacolsi. Around 1576, the year in which Duke G. Gonzaga had a sort of open-air jail built that referred to the idea of a real cage, the tower took precisely this name.

Mantova - Monuments

Casa di Andrea Mantegna

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.

Mantova - Museums

Museo dell'Accademia Nazionale Virgiliana

The Museum of the Accademia Nazionale Virgiliana is a historical museum with an archive and library; it is one of the seven academies present throughout Italy, built around the 1500s and open to the public. In it there is a scientific theater and houses surgical irons from the 18th century.

Mantova - Museums

Museo Storico dei Vigili del Fuoco

The historical museum of the fire brigade located in Mantua, whose access is located at the entrance of the Piazza Arche, houses all the vehicles (including nautical and amphibians) brought to the restoration by the firefighters themselves during the hours free. The historical museum can be visited on Saturday and Sunday and on public holidays from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 2:30pm to 7:30pm. For the visit of schools and groups of visitors, the other days of the week are always and only with reservation.

Mantova - Streets and Squares

Piazza Martiri di Belfiore

Piazza martiri di Belfiore takes its name from the patriots who aimed at the unity of Italy in the Risorgimento executed by the Austrian government in the period 1852-1855 mostly in the valley of Belfiore. The monument shown in the photo is not in today's square but is close to the place of executions in the square in front of the Valletta di Belfiore. (rebuilt in 2002 after being removed from Piazza Sordello in 1933 and disassembled with the placement of the various components in various places - Palazzo Ducale -Sebastiano). Today's square is located at the confluence of various streets and allows access to the historic center.

Mantova - Museums

Museo Archeologico Nazionale

The National Archaeological Museum is located in the former Cocoon Market in Piazza Castello and is undergoing restoration since it must be adapted to the future needs of the museum itself. It is arranged in three floors that interest, the prehistoric era until the early Middle Ages and, part is dedicated entirely to Mantua. Walking along the ground floor, tourists can observe various materials recovered during archaeological excavations carried out in the city.

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo di Giustizia

The courthouse located in via Poma is rich in frescoes made with stucco within the various rooms of the building, which create a sort of link between one environment and another. The same is characterized by a garden surrounded by stables and other environments.

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Torre dell'Orologio

Mantova - Parks and nature reserves

Parco del Mincio

The Mincio Park is a natural and protected area located in the province of Mantua. It extends along the Mincio Valley and from Lake Garda to the confluence with the river Po. To observe the magnificent beauty of the place and book a visit, you can connect to the website of the Park itself.

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo d'arco

The Arch Palace is a house built around 1784 by Antonio Colonna on commission of the Arch Counts. In 1740 part of the family settled in Mantua inheriting this palace from the Counts Chieppio. In 1872 Antonio d'Arco enlarged the house by purchasing the land that goes beyond the current garden and parts of Renaissance construction. Today, the Arch Palace is a museum containing all the furnishings typical of the Renaissance period and it is possible to visit it.

Mantova - Museums

Museo Tazio Nuvolari

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo del Podesta

The palace of the podestà built around 1227, together with the civic tower was the administrative center of Mantua and, following the construction of the arengario and the palace of reason it connects to the former general warehouses. On the main wall of the building there is a typical statue of the '200 representing Virgil equipped with a cap and arms placed on the lectern.

Mantova - Monuments

Rotonda di San Lorenzo

The Rotonda di San Lorenzo is 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.

Mantova - Streets and Squares

Piazza Virgiliana

The Virgiliana Square was built by Paolo Pozzo in 1801 on commission by Sextius Alexandre de Miollis with the aim of using it for military exercises. In the beginning, a statue depicting Virgil was made, then replaced by the current statue and inaugurated in 1927.

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Canossa

Palazzo Canossa was built around the '600 on commission of the Veronese family of the Canossa. The main facade is made of rusticated, has a sort of marble portal on which are placed two dogs and a baroque staircase.

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Arrivabene

In Via Arrivabene we can observe the Arrivabene tower probably built by Luca Fancelli around 1481. It was built and belongs to the building owned by the Arrivabene family.

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo della ragione

The palace was built in 1250 as the home of the court of justice. The porches, added later, house the market when it is raining.

Borgo Mantovano - Museums

Museo del Po

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Valenti Gonzaga

Palazzo Valenti, located in Via Pietro Frattini, 7, maintains the beauty and majesty of the frescoes and statues that compose it and of typical Renaissance and Baroque style.

Mantova - Monuments

Casa di Giulio Romano

Mantova - Churches and places of worship

Sinagoga Ebraica

The Norsa Torrazzo synagogue is the only Jewish synagogue to have survived the demolition that took place between 1899 and 1902. In 1825 it was used as a nursing home and still contains the typical furniture of the eighteenth century.

Mantova - Streets and Squares

Piazza Sordello

Piazza Sordello, originally Piazza San Pietro, built in 1300 following the demolition of some houses located on two parallel roads, is dedicated to Sordello da Goito (poet). The square was built according to the typical style of the early Middle Ages; on its left we can observe Palazzo Acerbi, Palazzo Vescovile and Ca' degli Uberti. On the right side we can observe the Palazzo del Capitano and the Domus Magna.

Mantova - Walls, towers and gates

Torre San Alo'

The Sant'Alò Tower, better known under the name of Torre Nuova, is located in Piazza Arche in Mantua. It was built around the fifteenth century and its main function was to defend the city itself.

Mantova - Walls, towers and gates

Torre Civica

The civic tower founded around the 13th century according to a typically medieval style and belongs to the city walls, is about 27 meters high; in the beginning it had an external staircase with which communicated with the square. In 1492 it was equipped with a bell cell that today allows the concert of eight bells to be held.

Mantova - Walls, towers and gates

Torre Zuccaro

In via Don Enrico Tazzoli stands a tower about forty-two meters high that takes the name of tower of the Zuccaro. The name probably comes from the family that owns the tower, although, according to a popular belief, sugar was stored inside it.

Mantova - Museums

Museo di Palazzo d'Arco

The Palazzo d'Arco museum located in Piazza d'Arco in Mantua, covers two floors: ground floor and first floor. On the ground floor visitors can observe the greenhouse, the archive, the exedra (sort of opening an interior wall), the theater, concierge, entrance hall, the yellow room, the empire room, chapel, hall caesari, anti-chapel and saddlery.

Sabbioneta - Museums

Museo di Arte Sacra

The Museum of Sacred Art was opened to the public in 1990 and welcomes finds such as jewels and sacred furnishings. The most prominent object is the Toson d'Oro, a jewel granted as an honor to the knights of the empire made of pure gold. The “Silver Chalice” donated by Vespasiano to the Church of Sabbioneta is also preserved.

San Benedetto Po - Museums

Museo dell'Abbazia

The Abbey Museum was built in 1007 and is located in the refectory of the monastery. Inside there are archaeological finds that belong to the period from Roman times to the Renaissance. In 1984, a very special fresco was also found representing the young Correggio. The fresco dates back to 1514 and represents the architecture painted with biblical scenes.

Castiglione delle Stiviere - Museums

Museo Internazionale della Croce Rossa

The International Museum of the Red Cross is located in the 18th century patrician mansion of Palazzo Longhi. The museum site was inaugurated in 1959 in view of the centenary of the birth of the Red Cross conceived by Henry Dunant. The Museum was founded with the intent to document the birth and development of the International Red Cross through temporary exhibitions by foreign and Italian Red Cross Societies.

Castiglione delle Stiviere - Museums

Museo Storico Aloisiano

The Aloisian Historical Museum was built in 1608 by the grandchildren of San Luigi, Cinzia, Olimpia and Gridonia Gonzaga. It exhibits objects that kept the young nobles who of the College of Virgins. In addition, there are also some paintings with portraits of San Luigi and paintings with sacred themes by great artists. The museum has been open to the public since 1969.

Gazoldo Degli Ippoliti - Museums

Museo delle Cere della Postumia

The Postojna Wax Museum is located in the beautiful Palazzo Ippoliti also known as Palazzo Castello. Part of this building is private, another is owned by the Municipality. The latter is used to present the Waxes. In the museum it is possible to observe about eighty life-size wax statues, presented in particular sets and with as many sound and light effects. In all, there are eight rooms.

Medole - Museums

Civica Raccolta d'Arte

The Civic Art Collection was founded during the seventies to collect the works of local artists, with particular attention to the artists who worked in Clarism. The museum site also hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.

Borgo Virgilio - Museums

Museo Virgiliano

The Virgiliano Archaeological Museum dates back to 1981 and is based in Pietole. In the rooms of the museum there are objects that combine tradition with contemporary art. Today in the museum we can admire about 55 paintings by the great painter Ugo Celada and an archaeological collection by Vicenzo Prati. Almost all the works were donated by the citizens of the municipality of Virgil.

Asola - Museums

Museo Civico "G. Bellini"

The G. Bellini Civic Museum has as its founder Goffredo Bellini, a well-known collector of the 1920s. The building is divided into two sections, within which we find finds from different historical eras and also finds found from prehistory and works of great value that belong to the years' 400, '700 and '800.

Mantova - Museums

Palazzo Comunale

A true combination of medieval architecture, in which you can admire the Secchia kidnapped: a wooden bucket that commemorates the victory of Modena over Bologne during the battle of Zappolino in 1325.

Commessaggio - Walls, towers and gates

Torre di Vespasiano

The Tower of Vespasiano, otherwise known as the Torrazzo, is an architectural structure that constitutes the symbol of the history of the country. The fortress is 28 meters high and inside it there are several rooms. One of the rooms was used as a prison upon intervention by the forces of the Carabinieri.

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Sordi

The construction of the Sordi Palace took place in 1680, commissioned by the Marquis Benedict to F. Geffels. It is made according to the typically Baroque style; above the main door, G.B. Barberini has created a high relief depicting “The Madonna and Child” and immersed in a rustic plaster and bas-reliefs made of stucco and marble. This building cannot be visited as it is private.

Mantova - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo dell'accademia

The Palazzo dell'Accademia located in Via Dante Alighieri is a majestic building. The main façade characterized by immense doors, windows on the upper floor windows and a Latin writing that overlooks everything.

Mantova - Churches and places of worship

Chiesa di San Francesco

Chiesa di San Francesco is one of the ancient churches located near 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.

Cavriana - Museums

Museo Archeologico dell'Alto Mantovano - Cavriana

The Museum preserves and enhances through materials, documentation and reconstructive plastics what is found in the pile-dwelling sites of Bande di Cavriana and Castellaro Lagusello, recently included in the heritage UNESCO world

Borgo Mantovano - Churches and places of worship

Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta

Church of 1082 built by Matilde di Canossa, Romanesque style, inside frescoes and original paintings from the twelfth to the 16th century.

Rivalta sul Mincio - Museums

Museo Etnografico dei Mestieri del Fiume-Ostello

Loghino Ariello, an ancient residence of the workers of the marsh reeds. Today it is used as a museum and tourist office.Adjacent you can see the annex of the Mincio hostel. We are in the heart of the Mincio Park in Mantua.

Marmirolo - WWF Oasis

Oasi di Marmiolo

The Oasis of Marmiolo has long been managed by the WWF. During the walk visitors have the opportunity to see various species of birds, but also a reed, willows, poplars and even a centuries-old elm. Guided tours are also organized by the WWF section, especially for schools and scholars.

Acquanegra sul Chiese - Parks and nature reserves

Riserva Regionale le bine

The Oasis of Bine was created in the second half of 1700, to protect the swamp (the dead Oglio area) that is isolated from the river by a rectification intervention. It is located on a site of community importance and in a special protection zone, in the Oglio Sud Regional Park. It covers 144 hectares on a horseshoe shape.

San Benedetto Po - Astronomical Observing Sites

Associazione Astrofili Mantovani

The Association was established in 1992. Currently there are a large number of members, about 170, coming from different neighboring municipalities and provinces. In the Association there are some activities such as: in-depth lessons, exchange of information, telescopic observations, astronomy lessons etc. the environment is open to both the public and to school classes.

Mantova - Walls, towers and gates

Porta Giulia Cittadella

Marmirolo - Walls, towers and gates

Torre di Marmirolo

Initially, the Tower of Marmirolo was part of an ancient castle. In July 1700 the tower collapsed, but not much time passed and was replaced by the citizens by another tower. In the 50s of the last century, a new bell was added to the structure by the Municipal Administration. The tower took its present appearance after some restorations carried out in the years 1872-1873 and 1995.

Ponti sul Mincio - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Ponti San Mincio

The Castle was erected during the twelfth century, with the aim of protecting and supervising the entire area. During the twentieth century the Castle was restored. The building consists of four towers. In the past it was also used by justice administrators.

Sabbioneta - Museums

Galleria degli Antichi

The Gallery of the Ancients was built in the second half of the 16th century and was called 'The Great Corridor'. It did not have the function of connecting the ducal environments to some secret place, but it was established to contain the archaeological collection of the then Duke and a collection of marbles purchased by the royal court of Spain.

Sabbioneta - Theaters

Teatro all'Antica

The Teatro all'Antica was commissioned by Vespasiano to the architect Vincenzo Scamozzi in 1587. The project was the first example of theatre of the modern era not bound by existing buildings. The internal structure recalls the scheme of classic theaters with semicircle in the center and raised stage. The loggia, formerly home of the ladies, was frescoed by artists from the workshop of Paolo Veronese.

Mantova - Churches and places of worship

Il Duomo di San Pietro

It has medieval origins. The bell tower in Romanesque and Gothic-style chapels are decorated with gables and pinnacles of the fifteenth century. The interior has a 5 aisles on columns in the classical style. Striking is the Chapel of the Coronation.

Sabbioneta - Walls, towers and gates

Porta Imperiale

The Imperial Gate of Sabbioneta was built in 1579 and was dedicated to the Emperor Rudolf II of Habsburg. It stands out for its façade composed of smooth ravines and the neoclassical gable that replaced the original loggia.

Sabbioneta - Walls, towers and gates

Porta Vittoria

Porta Vittoria was built in the second half of the 16th century and represents one of the two entrance doors to the city of Sabbioneta. It is characterized by an impressive appearance and has a façade divided into two parts of which the lower one has three arched openings and the upper one is a loggia. Above the entrance are the coats of arms of the Gonzaga-Colonna family and an epigraph in Latin.