The Ducal Palace of Mantua was once the main residence of the Gonzaga family and was subsequently the home of various leaders of the city under various regimes throughout the centuries. It was built, as such buildings often were, in numerous phases of building as it was altered and extended over time.
Work was begun, however, in the 13th century for the Bonacolsi family before being taken over by the famous Gonzaga family who were hugely important rulers and patrons in the Renaissance and hugely altered the shape and character of the city. With this year being Mantua's turn as Italian Capital of Culture, there has never been a better time to visit this exceptional city and building. Why not find a vacation rental in Lombardy and explore the palace for yourself?
Work was begun, however, in the 13th century for the Bonacolsi family before being taken over by the famous Gonzaga family who were hugely important rulers and patrons in the Renaissance and hugely altered the shape and character of the city. With this year being Mantua's turn as Italian Capital of Culture, there has never been a better time to visit this exceptional city and building. Why not find a vacation rental in Lombardy and explore the palace for yourself?
The complex overlooking Piazza Sordello is the earliest part of the palace begun under Guido Bonacolsi at the end of the 13th century.
It is made up of the Palazzo del Capitano and Magna Domus and they are the old nucleus of the palace, forming the Corte Vecchia. It is here that various beautiful frescoes based on Arthurian subject-matter were added in the 14th century for the Gonzagas by Pisanello.
The frescoes had long fallen into decline but were, thankfully, saved through restoration in the 20th century.
In the second half of the 16th century, Duke Guglielmo Gonzaga started to give a unity to the buildings which had been previously been detached from one another.
It is made up of the Palazzo del Capitano and Magna Domus and they are the old nucleus of the palace, forming the Corte Vecchia. It is here that various beautiful frescoes based on Arthurian subject-matter were added in the 14th century for the Gonzagas by Pisanello.
The frescoes had long fallen into decline but were, thankfully, saved through restoration in the 20th century.
In the second half of the 16th century, Duke Guglielmo Gonzaga started to give a unity to the buildings which had been previously been detached from one another.
Chief of the Buildings Giovan Battista Bertani created an enormous imposing complex spreading from Piazza Sordello to the inferior lake for Gonzaga which was continued after his death by Bernardino Facciotto. This saw the unification of the gardens, squares, loggias, galleries, exedras and courtyards giving the palace its final structure. Though the exceptional architecture and frescoes remain, the art collections that the Gonzaga family were so famous for have long since been dispersed, leaving the interior rather empty. Despite this, the Ducal Palace of Mantua remains one of the most extraordinary palaces of Italy and is steeped in historical and artistic importance and weight.
If you find yourself in Mantua, you should make it a point to visit and explore this exceptional and vast building for yourself. You won't be disappointed.
If you find yourself in Mantua, you should make it a point to visit and explore this exceptional and vast building for yourself. You won't be disappointed.
Photo credits
Picture 1: Errem / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Klaus Graf / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 3: Davide Papalini / CC BY-SA 3.0
Picture 1: Errem / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Klaus Graf / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 3: Davide Papalini / CC BY-SA 3.0