Just a stone' s throw from the flow of the Mincio River lies Mantua, a Renaissance jewel of indescribable charm and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, along with nearby Sabbioneta.

A city of ancient Etruscan origin, Mantua was renovated between the 15th and 16th centuries through architectural, urban planning and hydraulic engineering works. It experienced its greatest splendor during the long-lived rule of the Gonzaga family, Lords of Mantua from 1328 to 1707, to whom we owe considerable urban expansion and the city's precious artistic flourishing. Mantua assumed the role of an eminent capital of the Renaissance in Europe thanks to the contribution of painters of the fame of Andrea Mantegna, who created the famous Camera Picta in the Ducal Palace, and architects such as Giulio Romano and Leon Battista Alberti, who respectively designed Palazzo Te, where the admirable Sala dei Giganti stands out, and the Basilica of Sant'Andrea, in whose crypt is kept the relic of the Sacred Vases, a centuries-old devotional centerpiece of the Mantuan community.

Surrounded almost entirely by lakes, Mantua is an enchanting city that seems as if suspended in time and on 'water. Its atmosphere is unique and welcoming: the squares, alleys and cobblestones invite the visitor to slowly admire every glimpse and every historic monument or palace. The surrounding environment of striking naturalistic value offers numerous opportunities to spend time outdoors and is ideal for cycling enthusiasts. The city, which presents itself as a perfect blend of history, art, nature and food and wine tradition, experiences its climax in September during the Festivaletteratura, an event of international resonance.

Just a stone's throw from the Basilica of Sant'Andrea, on the corner of Piazza Mantegna and Piazza Erbe, is the in-Lombardia Tourism Infopoint, a reception and tourist information office whose main focus is to provide information about the city's tourist offerings and the cultural centers of greatest interest in the area. The Infopoint provides support in organizing your stay in the city and province, through the distribution of maps and printed materials, information on lodging and dining, possible nature trails and navigation, current cultural events and shows, and general directions on road and transportation. At the Infopoint it is possible to purchase tourist products such as the Mantua-Sabbioneta Card, which allows visits to the cities of Mantua and Sabbioneta at subsidized rates.

www.turismo.mantova.it