Enjoy a spectacular vertical dance on the surface of the tower
Mantua: the Ducal Palace and Isabella d’Este
Meet the first woman of the Renaissance
Counting captains of the people, marquises and dukes, there were over 18 Gonzaga of Mantua, besides 14 cardinals, 12 bishops and one Saint. But the most Gonzaga of them all was a woman: Isabella d’Este. She was Francesco II’s wife and Federico II Gonzaga’s mother, half from Ferrara and half Hispanic-Neapolitan. She inspired so many artists: Leonardo da Vinci and Ariosto, Giulio Romano, Raphael, Perugino, Mantegna, Titian and so on…
One of the most important historical characters of the Gonzaga Family was a woman: Isabella d’Este. Known as the first woman of the Renaissance, she led the way in fashion in almost every field: clothing, jewellery, hairstyles, gloves, shoes… Visit her famous private study at the Ducal Palace of Mantua to learn more about her history.
Known as the first woman of the Renaissance, She led the way in fashion in almost every field: clothing, jewellery, hairstyles, gloves, shoes… She was also a great PR woman, who used to receive many guests. Visit her famous private study at the Ducal Palace of Mantua to learn more about her history.
⇒ Watch the full web serie Mantua Slow Tour
Visit the official Mantua Ducal Palace website
Cover pic by Flickr User Annabelle Orozco
Visit Mantua: helpful hints
Italian name: Mantova
Arrival
There is no airport in Mantua but you can come easily from Milan or Bologna.
Milan: from Malpensa Airport reach Milan Central Station by train or by bus (the Malpensa Express train leaves every 30 minutes, it takes 50 minutes and costs 13€. The Malpensa shuttle bus leaves every 20 minutes, it takes 60/70 minutes and costs 10€). At Milan Central Station, look for the train to Mantua, it costs 11,5€ and it takes 1,5 hours.
Bologna: from Bologna Airport reach Bologna Central Station by bus (rides every 15 minutes). It takes 30 minutes and costs 6,5€. From the Central Station you can choose between the train and the bus: with Trenitalia company there is a combination of two trains, taking 1,5 hours at all for 8,95€. With Flixbus service you pay 4,99€ and it takes 1,25 hours.
Transports
You can visit Mantua on walk, or you can choose between bus or bike. APAM manages the local bus service. The single ticket costs 1,4€ and it lasts 75 minutes. Otherwise you can choose the bike and pay 0,69€ for a 20 minutes ride.
What to do
Mantua is a wonderful art city surrounded by lakes. It is in Lombardy region, Northern Italy. The city is famous for many stunning architectural treasures, such as Palazzo Ducale made by the Gonzaga family, or Palazzo Te. Nearby don’t miss the Olympic Theatre of Sabbioneta, the first designed just for entertainment in 1500.
Every year in September takes place here one of the most important Book Fair in Italy, Festivaletteratura.
For more tips, watch Italia Slow Tour web serie about Mantua.
