Mantova

Mantova, or Mantua in English, is a city in Lombardy, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Mantua and an important historic and cultural center. The city lies in the Po Valley at the confluence of the Mincio River, near a system of artificial lakes created by the river's course. Its historic core preserves Renaissance and Baroque architecture and a legacy of the Gonzaga dynasty.

Mantua's remains trace to the ancient and medieval periods; it developed under the Etruscans and Romans, later becoming a free commune. From the 14th to the 17th century the Gonzaga family ruled the city and built an extensive ducal complex, making Mantua a major center of art and learning. In 2008 Mantua and the nearby town of Sabbioneta were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for their Renaissance urban planning and cultural landscape.

The heart of Mantua is the Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale), a vast complex that houses chapels, courtyards, and royal apartments. Other highlights include the Basilica of Sant'Andrea, designed by Leon Battista Alberti, and the Palazzo del Te, with frescoes by Giulio Romano. The historic center contains Piazza Sordello and the medieval towers, while the surrounding waters and lakes shape the city's setting.

Mantua's economy mixes agriculture, services and tourism. The city preserves a rich culinary and artistic heritage, with local specialties such as tortelli di zucca, anolini and the sbrisolona cake. Museums and galleries exhibit Renaissance painting and Gonzaga-era collections, reflecting Mantua's role as a courtly center of the Italian Renaissance.

The city has about 50,000 residents, while the surrounding province has several hundred thousand. It is connected by rail and road to major northern cities.