Mantovano

<< Lombardy

The Mantovano is the territory of the Province of Mantua, entirely located in the Po Valley at the southeastern corner of Lombardy. This area is crossed by the rivers Po, Mincio, and Oglio, and features several agricultural centers, but also some historic towns.

Castiglione delle Stiviere

Castiglione delle Stiviere is the second largest town in the Province of Mantua, located at the border with the Province of Brescia. The town was contested between local powers during the Late Middle Ages, and remained a center of regional importance for centuries.

Castiglione delle Stiviere Castle

The Castiglione delle Stiviere Castle is a fortification located on a hill in Castiglione delle Stiviere. Erected during the Middle Ages, it was an important castle for centuries, and it was reworked various times. After suffering heavy damages, it was abandoned in the 18th century. The 16th-century Basilica of San Sebastiano is located among the ruins of the castle.

International Museum of the Red Cross

The Red Cross was founded by Henry Dunant after seeing the lack of medical care for the soldiers wounded during the Battle of Solferino and San Martino, which was fought near Castiglione delle Stiviere. The International Museum of the Red Cross (Museo Internazionale della Croce Rossa) in Castiglione delle Stiviere now houses various memorabilia showcasing the history of the Red Cross and its founding.

Solferino

Solferino is a small town in the Province of Mantua, best known as the site of an important battle fought here in 1859 between the Kingdom of Sardinia and Austria, during the Second Italian War of Independence.

Museum of the Risorgimento of Solferino and San Martino

The Museum of the Risorgimento of Solferino and San Martino (Museo del Risorgimento di Solferino e San Martino) is a museum of military history dedicated to the Italian Risorgimento. The museum mostly focuses on the Battle of Solferino and San Martino, which was fought here in 1859. An ossuary is located nearby, at the center of a park.

Rocca of Solferino

The Rocca of Solferino is a tower erected in the 11th century on a hill in Solferino. The fortification retained its strategic importance until the 19th century, and now it hosts various memorabilia from the Italian Risorgimento.

Castellaro Lagusello

Castellaro Lagusello is a small village in the Province of Mantua, part of the municipality of Monzambano. The town is located on a lake that housed some pile dwellings in prehistoric times, but now it is best known for its castle.

Castellaro Lagusello Castle

The Castellaro Lagusello Castle is a fort in the village of Castellaro Lagusello. Erected during the 13th century, it was contested between local powers due to its strategic position, but later it was abandoned and partially turned into private residences. The medieval old town of Castellaro Lagusello is surrounded by ancient walls linked with the castle.

Castel Goffredo

Castel Goffredo is a town located in the plains northwest of Mantua. During the Late Middle Ages, the town was contested between local powers, and later became a small fief. Castel Goffredo now features some historic attractions.

City Museum of Castel Goffredo

The City Museum of Castel Goffredo (Museo della Città di Castel Goffredo) is a museum of local history and art in Castel Goffredo. The museum features a collection of ancient archaeological finds, and many artworks dating between the Early Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Sabbioneta

Sabbioneta is a small town located in the southwest of the Province of Mantua. The town was founded by the House of Gonzaga, that ruled over the Duchy of Mantua, during the 16th century, and it was for about a century the capital of its own small state. Sabbioneta still preserves many of its Renaissance features, and it has been inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Teatro all’Antica

Also known as: Teatro Olimpico

The Teatro all’Antica is a historic theater in Sabbioneta, erected in the late 16th century. It is one of the oldest purpose-built modern theaters in the world and it is decorated with various frescoes. The main feature of the theater is the elaborate stage, that includes a colonnade adorned with statues.

Ducal Palace of Sabbioneta

The Ducal Palace of Sabbioneta (Palazzo Ducale di Sabbioneta) is a 16th-century palace in Sabbioneta, that once served as the residence of the local rulers. The palace has various decorated halls adorned with frescoes, and it hosts a rich museum of local history and art.

Church of Beata Vergine Incoronata

The Church of Beata Vergine Incoronata is a church in Sabbioneta erected during the 16th century. The church features various frescoes and decorated chapels, and it houses the elaborate funerary monument of Vespasiano I Gonzaga.

Palazzo del Giardino

Palazzo del Giardino is a historic palace in Sabbioneta, built at the end of the 16th century. The palace features some decorated halls and a garden. Adjacent to the palace is the Galleria degli Antichi, a long porticoed building adorned with frescoes.

Walls of Sabbioneta

Sabbioneta is still mostly surrounded by its Renaissance walls, dating from the 16th century. The fortifications include the city gates Porta Imperiale and Porta Vittoria, and the ruins of a castle.

Castel d’Ario

Castel d’Ario is a small town in the Province of Mantua near the border with Veneto. The town is best known for its historic castle.

Castel d’Ario Castle

The Castel d’Ario Castle is a historic castle erected in Castel d’Ario in the Late Middle Ages. Thanks to its position at the border between local powers, it remained an important fortification for centuries, but it was later abandoned. Now partially restored, it still features its walls and towers and it houses the local library.

San Benedetto Po

San Benedetto Po is a small town located near the Po river in the Province of Mantua. It is best known for its historic abbey.

Polirone Abbey

Also known as: Abbey of San Benedetto in Polirone (Abbazia di San Benedetto in Polirone)

The Polirone Abbey (Abbazia di Polirone) is a religious complex in San Benedetto Po. Originally founded in the 11th century, it was for centuries one of the richest and most powerful abbeys in Italy. The church of the abbey was rebuilt in Renaissance style during the 16th century, and it is adorned with various frescoes.

Borgo Mantovano

Borgo Mantovano is a municipality along the Po river in the Province of Mantua, formed by the merger of the towns of Pieve di Coriano, Revere, and Villa Poma.

Ducal Palace of Revere

The Ducal Palace of Revere (Palazzo Ducale di Revere) is a 15th-century palace erected on a previous fortification by the House of Gonzaga. The palace is located in Revere and now it houses the Po Museum (Museo del Po), a museum of local history focused on the history and environment of the Po river. A medieval tower, once part of the ancient fort, is located in front of the palace.