Palazzo Te in Mantua is very well known, but obviously not only that exists. If you are curious to find out what to see in the Lombard city, organize a weekend and read all the things you shouldn't miss about the city.
There are many things to see a Mantova, a small town located in the extreme South East of Lombardy which, since 2008, has become part of UNESCO heritage for its characteristics, evidence of urban construction and for its Renaissance architecture.
First I recommend arriving from Bridge of San Giorgio, possibly crossing it on foot or by bicycle because, coming from this specific point, you have a view of the city skyline that is really very suggestive.
After crossing the bridge you will find the Castle of San Giorgio which was built between 1395 and 1400; one of its characteristics is constituted by the four towers, of which the one to the north east houses the famous bedroom of the spouses frescoed by Andrea Mantegna.
From here you can proceed along the castle arriving in Piazza Sordello which houses countless monuments worthy of a visit.
In this large square there is Il Mantua Cathedral o Cathedral of San Pietro which was built in the 1545th century and then renovated in 5 by Giulio Romano. It is a Latin cross church divided into XNUMX naves with a dome adorned with a fresco representing Paradise. There is also a truly majestic and very beautiful organ.
Leaving the church you can go and visit the Ducal Palace, residence in the XIV century of the Gonzaga, where you can admire the countless rooms, numerous paintings, statues, tapestries, frescoes, etc ... and above all the famous Wedding room.
Continuing the visit to Piazza Sordello you can see the Bonacolsi Palace and Bishop's Palace.
Entering the historic center of the city you arrive in Piazza Erba and Piazza Mantegna, the two squares are adjacent. Piazza Erba hosts the Palazzo della Ragione built in 1250, the clock tower with an astronomical clock and the Rotunda of San Lorenzo, the oldest church in the whole city, built in 1082, worth a visit both for its circular shape, inspired by the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, and for the setting that you breathe inside where you feel catapulted into the Middle Ages .
In Piazza Mantegna you can admire the Basilica di Sant'Andrea built between 1472 and 1494 on a project by Leon Battista Alberti. A peculiarity of this church is its majestic facade in stark contrast to the rest of the building, in fact, from the Leon Battista Alberti square it can be seen that the rest of the structure is built in exposed brick.
For those wishing to continue the discovery of the city there are also many other attractions to visit such as the Casa del Mantegna, the House of Giulio Romano, the Church of San Francesco, the Church of San Sebastiano.
Also moving away from the historic center you can go to visit the very famous Palazzo Te designed by Giulio Romano commissioned by Federico Gonzaga II and built between 1525 and 1534. In this building the highlight is the Chamber of the Giants, where there are seamless frescoes that make the environment truly evocative and engaging for the visitor at 360 ° almost to let him enter a fantastic world.
I also want to mention two museums that are worth seeing, the first being the Historical Museum of the Fire Brigade where it is possible to see and outline the historical and technological evolution of the means used from the XNUMXth century to the present day. The second is the Tazio Nuvolari Museum, where it is possible to relive or learn about the exploits of the great motorcycle and automotive champion thanks to photos, cars, equipment and much more.
In short, Mantua is a very beautiful and unique city that deserves to be seen, thanks to its cultural heritage to be admired in one or two days.
