Hi everyone, recently I had the opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Mantua during the Christmas holidays. Mantua is a city located between two lakes and is usually very charming, but when I arrived in the morning I was greeted by thick fog, a phenomenon that is quite common in this area due to the high humidity. Despite this, I spent a very pleasant day visiting the main points of interest in the city, including the Castle of San Giorgio and the Ducal Palace. I was struck by the beauty of the historic palaces and the cultural richness of Mantua. I highly recommend a visit to this city to anyone who wants to immerse themselves in Italian history and art.
During my visit to Mantua, one of the places that struck me the most was the Castle of San Giorgio, the main castle of the city. It is an imposing and well-preserved structure, perched on a hill overlooking the city. Its history dates back to 1406, when it was built by the Gonzaga as a summer residence. Over the years it has undergone various modifications and expansions, but it still maintains its impressiveness and beauty today. During my visit, I had the opportunity to explore its rooms, courtyards, and gardens, admiring the frescoes and original decorations. I was also able to visit the underground prisons, where some historical artifacts of the city are preserved. I highly recommend a visit to the Castle of San Giorgio to anyone who wants to learn more about the history of Mantua and admire the beauty of this ancient fortress.
After climbing the spiral staircase known as the "Horse Staircase", you arrive at the Camera degli Sposi, a room decorated with frescoes by Andrea Mantegna dating from 1465-1474. This room is universally considered one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of art and is a perfect example of Renaissance principles.
The Castello di San Giorgio is a wonderful place, also known as one of the most haunted places in Italy. It is said that the ghost of Agnese Visconti still haunts the castle. The cost of the ticket is 15 €, while students and children can enter for free. Absolutely worth a visit! Unfortunately, there are currently maintenance works in progress, so the exterior facade is partially covered by a tarp. Despite this, the beauty of the paintings inside the castle is indescribable. The tapestries are also beautiful and we are fortunate that they have been returned to Italy after being loaned to the Austrians.
The city of Mantua is truly a beautiful place, rich in museums, churches, palaces and other tourist attractions. One very interesting note is that on the first Sunday of the month, museum admissions are free. This is definitely a reason to plan a visit to Mantua at this time, especially if you are interested in learning more about the city's history and culture. The Castello di San Giorgio, in particular, is a very beautiful place to visit and definitely deserves a special mention. Don't miss the opportunity to discover everything that Mantua has to offer during your visit.
It's great that visiting Mantua has become a tradition for your family, especially during the holiday season. Discovering the art cities and important monuments of Italy is certainly a way to appreciate the history and culture of our country and to share this passion with loved ones. I hope this tradition will continue in the future and that you can discover new Italian beauties on your excursions.
You're welcome for taking the time to read this post. I wish you beautiful and peaceful Christmas holidays and hope you can spend this special time with your loved ones. Merry Christmas to all!