- Art & Culture
Piazza sordello in mantua
Formerly St. Peter's Square, was not only the square of the Cathedral, but also the stage of the Gonzaga power
Piazza Sordello, formerly known as Piazza San Pietro, is dedicated to the poet and Lombard troubadour Sordello da Goito and occupies the site of the ancient city, in the heart of Mantua.
Where once there were only houses and narrow streets, a large square now stands that is overlooked by some of the city's most important buildings. This square is positioned in sequence with another two (Piazza Erbe and Piazza Broletto) that, when taken as a whole, constitute the core of the city of Mantua.
Although traces of 18th century architecture can be seen in Piazza Sordello, its medieval imprint remains quite evident. On the eastern side you see the two arcaded buildings commissioned in the late 13th century by the Bonacolsi family, the first lords of the city.
You can also see the Palazzo del Capitano and Magna Domus, which are part of Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo Acerbi with the Torre della Gabbia tower and the Cathedral that borders the square to the north.