Mantua

Rich in charm, art and history, Mantua and Sabbioneta are two beautiful cities in the heart of the Po Valley: what do they have in common? The presence of the Gonzagas transformed them into magnificent centres of the Italian and European Renaissance.

Vespasiano Gonzaga Colonna was an enlightened and visionary prince leader, who in the second half of the 1500s built Sabbioneta from nothing, creating a place of astonishing beauty and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Vespasiano was the last duke and the glory of the city died with him. Yet the dream remained intact in its earthly materialisation.

From defensive structure to Renaissance residence Built at the request of Francesco I Gonzaga, the Castle of San Giorgio is one of the most representative examples of late medieval military architecture. Erected to defend the city, it has a square plan with 4 corner towers and is surrounded by a moat crossed by 3 drawbridges. With Ludovico II it lost its military function to become a marquis' residence and for many years became the residence of Isabella d'Este, who surrounded herself with the most important artists of the time, from Leonardo da Vinci to Ludovico Ariosto, from Andrea Mantegna to Pietro Perugino. The rooms in the building were decorated with important frescoes, including the very famous "Camera Picta" or Bridal Chamber, a masterpiece by Andrea Mantegna. The upper level of the castle was used as a maximum security prison during the period of Austrian rule. Find out more: https://www.mantovaducale.beniculturali.it/it/percorsi/il-castello

One of Italy's most picturesque cycle paths, the Mincio cycle path, is a very easy route. It connects b to the city of Mantua, passing through fields of poppies and wheat and charming villages, and skirting the river Mincio, in a route that is almost 50 km long. Sunny weather, the wind in your hair and nature: this scenic route is ideal for spending a Sunday off the beaten track.

The Ducal Palace of Mantua - The largest late-Mediaeval court in Europe The largest architectural museum complex in Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site The Ducal Palace Museum Complex in Mantua extends over an area of 35,000 sq. m. and has about 1000 different rooms. Towers, streets, majestic rooms and apartments, courtyards and gardens turn this structure into an architectural complex of incredible size. More than a building, it can be defined as an authentic palace-city to be explored in full. Pisanello, Mantegna and Rubens are some of the great Masters whose works are still on show in the palace today. Corte Vecchia, Corte Nuova, the Castle of San Giorgio, the Gardens, the Archaeological Museum and the Gallery of Contemporary Art are the main areas to visit in this Renaissance court - one of the largest in Europe.

Cities of art and historic villages alternate between vineyards, rice paddies, ancient noble residences and traditional farmhouses. Lombardy is full of surprises for people who explore it by bicycle, with a generous offering of local wine and foods: here are five specific itineraries.