With this walking tour you will discover the must-see attractions of Mantua city centre and Ducal Palace. Wrapped in water Mantua is an overlooked Renaissance gem; a mini-Florence, rich with art. Where Florence had the Medicis, Mantua had the Gonzagas who ruled the city for about 400 years, commissioning the finest Renaissance craftmen. Waking down the city you first meet Rigoletto's House and then the Ducal Palace. The Palazzo Ducale is a group of buildings built between 13th and 18th century as the royal residence of the Gonzaga family. The complex includes some 500 rooms a castle and a private church and occupies an area of ca. 34,000 m². Up to 1630 2, 000 paintings and 20, 000 valuable objects, the richest art collections known in Europe at that time, were stored in the palace. The first square is Piazza Sordello, built by the Etruscans, followed by the medieval squares of Broletto and Erbe where stands the Romanesque round church of S. Lawrence and it is overtowered by the facade of S. Andrew's church
Meeting point at Rigoletto's house in Piazza Sordello nr 23
Entrance ticket for Ducal Palace: € 6,50/each, free for children up to 18
ONLY ON REQUEST it is possible to visit the theatre Bibiena where Mozart played. Tickets for Bibiena theatre: € 2,10/each person and € 1,20 for children up to 18
My name is Manuela and I’m a professional licensed tour guide in Mantua (It.Mantova), Ferrara, Bologna, Modena and Parma. I was born in the middle of the Po Valley on the border between Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Regions, and it was natural for me to become a licensed guide in both regions. I'm a mix of the two cultures I get along with the Lombard pragmatism and the Emilian jovial and open minded lifestyle. But from both cultures, above anything else, I have taken the best: culture, history, art and …why not … good food and wines! I love showing people the best these cities and their provinces can offer. Follow me and you will discover not only beautiful squares and ancient buildings, but also less known city corners, everyday life stories and the reason why this area is called the “Italian Food Valley”. I love enjoying the wonder of my guests while I'm talking about art and history, looking at their open mouthed faces, see their surprising eyes and hear their exciting comments and, last but not least, … their delight in looking, smelling and tasting our typical products. I can provide private guided tours for Individuals, families, small and big groups, school groups, walking day and night tours and … custom-made tours. If You have questions please ask me without hesitation. Try and Be my SPECIAL GUESTS! Full profile ⋅ Leave a Review
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