Top Experiences in Ducale Palace (Palazzo Ducale Mantova)

Gonzaga's Residences tour. Mantua owes its beautiful Renaissance monuments to the Gonzaga Lords, who ruled the Mantuan Duchy for almost four centuries, and during their reign they made the city into a Court of grand splendor. The Gonzaga loved both luxury and power, and they lived in somptuous residences such as the huge Palazzo Ducale, their royal residence and the amazing Palazzo Te, intended as place of leisure and pleasure. The Ducal Palace with the gorgeous “Bridal Chamber” by Mantegna and the Te Palace by Giulio Romano’s genius, are some magnificent residences built by the Gonzagas, and an absolute must-see.

Discover Mantua, Unesco World Heritage Site since 2008 and 2016 Italian capital of culture. Join this engaging 3-hours tour and explore Mantua city centre and the Ducal Palace, one of Italy's greatest treasures, with a professional private local guide. Mantua surprises its visitors by her exceptional character: Small but spectacular, from every corner the city of Mantua offers an encounter with history and beauty. Visit Mantua, where artistic wonders, great food and sheer beauty conspire to make life sweeter.

• 3-hour Segway tour lead by an expert local guide
• See top Mantova. From piazza Marconi to piazza Mantegna that, together with the adjacent piazza Erbe, forms the city centre where stands the Saint Andrew’s Basilica, celebrated work of the Renaissance art.
We get to the picturesque piazza Erbe with its medieval buildings; the Reason’s Palace and Saint Laurence’s Rotunda being the most outstanding ones.
We arrive in piazza Sordello to admire the Ducal Palace or Gonzaga Royal Palace and moreover the Cathedral and Bonacolsi Palace, and then we continue towards the lakes.
Our back course gets onto piazza Castello and provides even more surprises before heading back, along comfortable and safe paths, to the arrival at the Tea Palace.
• Hear tales of colorful history from a knowledgeable guide
• Enjoy a Segway sightseeing tour that’s suitable for all fitness levels
• Small-group tour with a maximum of eight people ensures a personalized experience

From the Middle, Lower and Upper Lakes that the Mincio River creates near Mantua, just follow the call of the Domes of the Doge's Palace to enter the city: a world out of time. It was designed by the Gonzaga family, together with the greatest artists of the time. Palazzo Te, just outside the door, is the leisure villa designed by the great architect Giulio Romano. Unmissable the complex of Palazzo Ducale with marvellous frescoes which celebrated the dinasty of Ludovico II. Spend about 3 hours with your private guide wandering through the best corners of the city! A stop for lunch is included during the day. ( at your own expense )

Mantua is one of Italy's most beautiful cities, where elements from the Renaissance are present in the architecture and atmosphere. Take this opportunity to visit the city in a convenient way with round-trip transportation from Verona. When you arrive, explore at your leisure, plus discover the history behind one of the world's greatest cars: the Ferrari. You can immerse yourself a world where innovation, technology, and art are intimately connected. This day trip includes transportation only; the driver can provide information but there is no guide, and entrance fees are at your own expense. Select the type of vehicle you require, a Mercedes E class or a Viano or VW, when booking.

The Ducal Palace of Mantua is a complex of buildings built over a long period – from the beginnings of the 14th all the way to the 17th century. During the latter period, the main ruling family of Mantua, the Gonzaga, experienced their decline. The complex is formed by about 500 rooms and covers a surface of almost 34.000 square meters.

To create the palace, the most important artists of the various eras were called by the powerful Gonzaga family with the task to increase the magnificence of their residence. The more significant names are Bartolino da Novara, who projected and directed the construction of San Giorgio Castle, as well as Antonio Pisano, known as Pisanello, who realized a famous cycle of frescoes inspired by the legend of King Arthur, Andrea Mantegna, artist of the famous  Camera Picta or "Chamber of the Newlyweds", and Giulio Romano, famous for both his paintings and the scenographic project of the architectural creations.