Mantua and Sabbioneta — UNESCO World Heritage Site

The City of the Gonzagas, a Jewel of the Renaissance

Mantua and the nearby Sabbioneta have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2008, recognized as exceptional testimonies of the Italian Renaissance. Mantua was the capital of the Gonzaga duchy for four centuries, one of the most cultured and refined families in Europe, who transformed it into an urban and artistic masterpiece.

What to See in Mantua

The Palazzo Ducale, with over 500 rooms and the famous Camera degli Sposi frescoed by Andrea Mantegna, is a royal palace that rivals Versailles in size. Palazzo Te, a masterpiece by Giulio Romano featuring the dizzying Sala dei Giganti, is one of the most original buildings of the Renaissance. The Basilica of Sant’Andrea, designed by Leon Battista Alberti, and the Romanesque Rotonda di San Lorenzo complete an outstanding artistic itinerary.

From Lake Garda

Mantua is 45 km from Peschiera del Garda (40 minutes by car). Along the way, you pass through the village of Borghetto sul Mincio. The city is surrounded by three artificial lakes created by the Mincio river, which in summer are covered with water lilies, creating a unique spectacle.