Mantua in a day
Afternoon
Explore the Southern part of the city. To get to Palazzo Te, Giulio Romano's masterpiece in Mantua, you need to cross through the historic centre. Palazzo Te is the most fascinating and intriguing residence in Mantua: the marquise Federico II Gonzaga had it built as he wanted somewhere he could have fun in; it is decorated with symbols and scenes from mythology. In the past, Palazzo Te was on top of an island surrounded by a lake and a wood. A tour takes you through the courtyard il Cortile d'Onore, a selection of rooms such as la Sala dei Cavalli (Room of the Horses), le camere di Amore e Psiche (the rooms of Cupid and Psyche), dei Venti (Room of the Winds), delle Aquile (Room of the Eagles), the luxurious Camera degli Stucchi (the Stucco Room) and la Camera dei Giganti (the Room of the Giants), which is the biggest and most well known in Palazzo Te.
With the same ticket you can also visit Palazzo San Sebastiano close by. Built between 1506 and 1508 for Francesco II Gonzaga, the husband of Isabella d'Este, it was a residence for the nobles of Mantua to use for entertainment and leisure. Today the palace is home to the city's museum, the Museo della Città . During a visit here you can see ancient and modern art as well as the Trionfi di Mantegna. These are seventeenth-century copies of an original series of frescos depicting Caesar's victories - the originals are at Hampton Court in London. Near the Palazzo San Sebastiano you can also visit the Casa del Mantegna, home to temporary art and culture exhibitions.
Would you like to visit Mantua and the local area for a weekend? Read our itinerary here.
