• Art & Culture
    • Villages
    • Unesco Sites

Insider Mantua

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT
  1. Experiences in Lombardy
  2. Art and Culture
  3. Insider Mantua

Seven tips for Mantua and its surroundings to discover the wonders of a UNESCO World Heritage treasure

Mantua and its masterpieces, Sabbioneta and the villages in the north-west of the province. Discover them by following the sug-gestions of a special guide. In the midst of postcard landscapes, fascinating historic buildings and enchanted gardens.

A village not to be missed? “Castellaro Lagusello, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. It looks as though it came out of a postcard”. Marco Chiarini is our Insider from Mantua. Twenty-nine years old, from Castiglione delle Stiviere, he works in communi-cation and digital marketing. But above all, since he was a child, he has been a great lover of photography.

To discover other destinations outside the usual routes follow #INSIDERinLombardia on the social networks. With us, apart from Marco, there is a large team of “photo ambassadors” invited to tell you about cities, mountains, lakes, villages, first-hand experi-ences.

PS: If you live in Lombardy, you love photography and also want to become an #INSIDERinLombardia, send us your application!

Here are Marco’s tips (on Instagram for those who are è @_chiaroweb_

Castellaro Lagusello, a postcard village
Castellaro Lagusello, a postcard village «Castellaro Lagusello seems to come straight out of a postcard; you will love it when you visit it. A village near Monzambano, it lies among the morainic hills in the Alto Mantovano in the north-west and is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. A heart-shaped lake and a magnificent castle are the ingredients for a fabulous experience. Don’t forget to try the capunsei, gnocchi made of bread typical of the area!».
Castiglione delle Stiviere and the Red Cros
«The idea of the Red Cross came to Henry Dunant here, after seeing the generosity of the inhabitants in aiding the wounded of the battle of Solferino in 1859. The International Red Cross Museum bears witness to this. Here’s a special recommendation: go up to the castle, from which you can enjoy a great view. The colours of the countryside are magical».
Cycling in the hills of Cavriana
Cycling in the hills of Cavriana «One of the favourite residences of the Gonzagas in which to relax. Ideal for a walk or a bike ride through the vineyards and the moraine hills, Cavriana, a village in the north-west of the province, is dominated by the castle, once one the most important forti-fications in the area. Today, unfortunately, there are only ruins, but the view is breathtaking».
Mantua and its masterpieces
«The city with the most beautiful profile in the world, according to the film director Gianni Amelio. Entering Mantua, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is like taking a journey back in time. From Palazzo Te, a Renaissance masterpiece designed by Giulio Romano, to the church of San Barnaba, crowned by a beautiful square with a fountain. Or the San Lorenzo rotunda, the church of Sant’Andrea, Piazza Sordello and the beautiful castle of San Giorgio with Mantegna’s Camera degli Sposi. Mantua enters your heart, and it will stay there for ever!».
Sabbioneta, the Renaissance “ideal city”
«An open-air work of art. Unquestionably one of the most beautiful small towns in Italy, a Unesco World Heritage site and Bandi-era arancione of the Touring Club Italiano. High town walls and a moat encircle this “ideal city” in the heart of the Mantuan plain. The two immense gateways into town (Porta Vittoria and Porta Imperiale), the Galleria degli Antichi, the Piazza and the Palazzo Ducale, the Palazzo del Giardino, the Olympic Theatre and the church of Santa Maria Assunta are all definitely worth a visit. A true sixteenth-century architectural jewel».
Solferino, on the trail of history
«One of the most important battles of the Second War of Independence was fought here, on 24 June 1859. Piazza Castello is worth a visit, and is reach through an arch between the walls. From the top, on clear days, you can see all the way to Lake Garda! In the square there is the church of San Nicola and the Civic Tower built by the Gonzagas. Take a visit too to the medieval fortress, 23 metres high, which dominates the whole town and houses a museum with war memorabilia».
Volta Mantovana, the Italian castle and gardens
«Even today the medieval castle dominates the centre of this village in the Alto Mantovano, north-west of the city of Mantua. Built around the eleventh century, it preserves the original town walls, with the elegant “Porta Mantovana”. Not to be missed? A visit to the Palazzo Gonzaga-Guerrieri with its Renaissance decorations and the four enchanting Italian gardens that cover the whole hill right to the centre of the village».

On the same topic

Show all

Visits to the violin-making workshops

An unique and unforgettable experience
  • Art & Culture
Visits to the violin-making workshops

Contemporary Varese

Una guida alle architetture e nuovi spazi dedicati all'arte contemporanea: i percorsi del contemporaneo tra Varese, Laveno, Maccagno.
  • Art & Culture
Contemporary Varese

12 masterpieces in Lombardy

Among paintings, Monasteries, Basilicas: a treasure to be discovered in Lombardy
  • Art & Culture
Hunting for 12 masterpieces in Lombardy

Marian Itinerary Brianza

The path of the rose that connects 25 Marian shrines
  • Art & Culture
Marian itinerary in Brianza, the path of the Rose

Lodi, invitation to court

Scenes of court life in the majestic Castle of Sant'Angelo Lodigiano that dominates the plain with an unequaled past
  • Art & Culture
Lodi, invitation to court

Theaters in Lombardy

Milan a city rich in theaters that are also famous internationally. But not only that: do not exclude other provinces such as Pavia and Mantua
  • Art & Culture
Theaters in Lombardy, suggestions

Angera and the Open Air Museum

A beautiful lakefront and a very picturesque aura in the province of Varese
  • Art & Culture
Visit Angera and surroundings: some tips

Pavia Photo Gallery

An area full of attractions and experiences to experience
  • Art & Culture
Pavia from A to Z, art and culinary traditions

Theaters Lodi

Lodi is famous not only for its monumental beauties, but also for the lively cultural activity in its theaters
  • Art & Culture
Theaters Lodi, culture trips in Lombardy

Milan, a fun with the children

Ancient castles, amusement parks and interactive museums. Discover what Lombardy offers for children. First stop, Milan.
  • Art & Culture
Milan, a fun with the children

A visit to the Basilica of the XII Apostles

Tour di Lodi in bicicletta tra natura e cultura: la Basilica di San Bassiano
  • Art & Culture
Una visita alla Basilica dei XII Apostoli - San Bassiano

Roman paved road

  • Art & Culture
Roman paved road

Monument Sondrio

Historical, artistic, traditional Sondrio in its many monuments ... and a railway station from which a special train departs
  • Art & Culture
Monument Sondrio, what to see

Castles in Lombardy

The charm of Lombardy through its castles
  • Art & Culture
Castles in Lombardy, Scenes from a Fairy Tale

Santo Stefano Ticino

A village to be discovered near Milan
  • Art & Culture
Santo Stefano Ticino, art and agriculture

Bergamo Bassa

In Bergamo the visit starts from the bottom of the town, from its historic villages, and goes on by climbing slowly
  • Art & Culture
Historical places and green areas in Bergamo

Bergamo Città Bassa

Glimpses of ancient villages along the main communication routes between the upper city and the territory
  • Art & Culture
Bergamo Città Bassa (Lower City)

The Cloister of Voltorre

The monastic art of the Cloister of Voltorre
  • Art & Culture
The monastic art of The Cloister of Voltorre

Visit the interactive exhibit Leonardo3. The World of Leonardo

Discover the works of Leonardo Da Vinci as you've never seen before
  • Art & Culture
Leonardo3. Il Mondo di Leonardo

Theaters Brescia

Brescia will surprise you with the vitality of its theaters, where are staged prose, ballets and concerts
  • Art & Culture
Theaters Brescia, culture in Lombardy