MANTUA- ITALY
Ron and I had this wanting to visit Mantua for a very long time and jumped on the opportunity to see it before our travels leading to France. Mantua is in the Region of Lombardy in Northern Italy and we knew it was a hidden gem being that Mantua ends up neglected, perhaps unsurprisingly crowd free which is what we wanted. We flew into Verona and stayed overnight and then caught a early 30 minute train ride early in the morning to Mantua as we only had 2 nights in this glorious Renaissance town. This place is a Unesco World Heritage Site and for good reason. It has some of the best examples of Renaissance genius in the form of paintings, palaces, the canal views and lake views for a reason. With the intense heat of the day it was hard to see so much by foot so we walked as much as we could to get a feel of this beautiful town but we didn't even scratch the surface but we are very glad to have had the glimpse to experience it and the amazing food we we're able to experience. I think we could have stayed there for 2 more days to see more palaces and museums and eat more terrific pasta and risotto. The historical centre is noted for its extraordinary art and architecture and is known to many Italians as La Bella Addormentata, a sleeping beauty that hasn't changed since the middle ages. If we we're to go visit Mantua again we would rent their bicycles to explore their scenic and panoramic view of the historical skyline of the city. This historic part of the city sits on a portion of land that juts out into three lakes, Lago di Mezzo, Lago Superiore, and Lago Inferiore. These lakes are actually man-made and were make in the 12th century.
Below is Mantua's canal seen from via Pomponazzo
The river Mincio has swollen out into three lakes, which turn the city almost into an island. In addition to that the city is divided into two by a rio, a medieval canal.
The bond with water also constantly changes the ambience of Mantua, humid and sticky in the summer, when its western lake turns violet and pink with delicate lotus blossoms: moody and misty in the winter months. The fog, which is regarded by many as a curse, only adds to its charm. The city is still the sombre background of Verdi's Rigoletto and the setting of Romeo's exile.
The bond with water also constantly changes the ambience of Mantua, humid and sticky in the summer, when its western lake turns violet and pink with delicate lotus blossoms: moody and misty in the winter months. The fog, which is regarded by many as a curse, only adds to its charm. The city is still the sombre background of Verdi's Rigoletto and the setting of Romeo's exile.
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Below is the Rotonda di Lorenzo
It is the most ancient church in the city. It is now sunk below the level of the Piazza della Erbe. It probably stands on the site of a Roman Temple that was dedicated to the goddess Venus. It was built during the reign of the Canossa family in the late 11th century. The construction, according to the Lombard tradition, is in bricks, but has two columns and other details in marble, coming from ancient edifices. Deconsecrated, it was used for dwellings, shops and stores, and the begining of the 20th century it was covered by other edifices. Later it was restored and the external additions removed.
It is the most ancient church in the city. It is now sunk below the level of the Piazza della Erbe. It probably stands on the site of a Roman Temple that was dedicated to the goddess Venus. It was built during the reign of the Canossa family in the late 11th century. The construction, according to the Lombard tradition, is in bricks, but has two columns and other details in marble, coming from ancient edifices. Deconsecrated, it was used for dwellings, shops and stores, and the begining of the 20th century it was covered by other edifices. Later it was restored and the external additions removed.
Below is the Piazza delle Erbe, a beautiful square surrounded by shops and restaurants with plenty of outdoor seating in view of its imposing 15th century clock tower. The Basilica of Sant'Andrea is also on Piazza delle Erbe and worth a visit for its ornate interior decor and art.
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