Half-day Guided tour of Mantua City Centre and Ducal Palace

Declared World Heritage site by UNESCO, Mantua is home to Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace) built by the Gonzagas who became one of Italy's leading Renaissance families. Symbol of Mantua, this 35,000-sq-metre palace is made of buildings, galleries, inner courts, gardens and a castle. Even if it is famous for Mantegna's frescos in the Camera degli Sposi (Bridal chamber), it also boasts many other architectural and painted elements.

The castle’s greatest treasures are tucked away inside, like the Camera Picta (The bridal chamber). This room was turned into a work of art realized by Andrea Mantegna, one of the most important Reinassence painter. The stunning frescoes give visitors the impression of being in an open portico overlooking the beautiful countryside.

Piazza Sordello is a large square surronded by some of the most important historic buildings of the city like the Ducal Palace, the cathedral and the Bishop's seat

This was the medieval political square where the communal palaces were build like the old town hall and the Massaro's seat. Under the big arch it is possible to see the 4 iron rings used for torturing

Bordered by the rear facade of the medieval town hall to the north and the Palazzo di Giustizia (courthouse) to the east, this square, named after the medieval fruit and vegetable market, is also dominated by a 15 century astrolabe and the romanesque church of Saint Laurence

Planned by Leon Battista Alberti It is one of the major works of 15th-century Renaissance architecture in Northern Italy. The façade made up of clasical architectural features conceals a single nave with barrel vaulting and walls painted in trompe-I'oeil. The first chapel on the left contains the tomb of Andrea Mantegna.