MANTUA AND SABBIONETA. UNESCO Itinerary 3 days Via G. Chiassi, 20/e – 46100 Mantova – tel. 0376 1434771 – fax 0376 1434772 [email protected] Luce srl. –sede legale Via Arrivabene, 18 – 46100 Mantova P.iva 02411290204 Mantova and Sabbioneta, far one from the other about 30 km, have been declared UNESCO human heritage together because, both ruled by the Gonzaga Family, they represent remarkable example of Renaissance urban planning. This was thank to the several artists that worked for their realization, producing masterpieces that let them to achieve the Renaissance ideals. 1st day: Mantova We will meet the guide in Sordello Square and we will visit the Ducal Palace. It is a complex of over 500 rooms and different buildings built in different periods, that safeguard masterpieces like for example Camera Picta, (or “degli Sposi”) by Andrea Mantegna; the Basilica Palatina of Santa Barbara; several squares such as the “Cavallerizza”; the famous “appartamento dei nani”; the Hanging Gardens; the Pisanello room with the wonderful sinopias; the “Sala degli Arazzi”, the “Galleria degli Specchi” and the Ducal apartment, the “Appartamento della Metamorfosi”, the “Galleria della Mostra”, the apartment of Isabella d’Este and the Castle of San Giorgio. In the former “Mercato dei Bozzoli”, once seat of the “Teatro di Corte”, National Archaeological Museum is hosted. This is only part of the treasures kept in the building. At the end of the visit stop for lunch in restaurant. In the afternoon we will continue our visit with the “Via del Principe” (the Prince Way), where we can admire the Basilica di S. Andrea, the “Pescherie” by Giulio Romano, the church of San Sebastiano, the Mantegna’s house and Palazzo San Sebastiano. The visit of Palazzo Te is a must. The magnificent suburban residence wanted by Federico II Gonzaga, Isabella d’Este’s son, designed by Giulio Romano and his pupils. Here we can visit the famous Sala dei Giganti, the Sala di Amore e Psiche, the Sala dei Cavalli, the fish farms where battleships were reproduced, and the “casino della Grotta” in the wonderful garden that surrounds the palace closed by the exedra. Dinner and overnight. 2nd day: Sabbioneta and surroundings We will depart to Sabbioneta, named the “Little Athens of Gonzagas”, transformed by Vespasiano Gonzaga between 1556 and 1591 from medieval town into a cultural and architectural Renaissance centre. Along the way it is possible to stop in Commessaggio to see the “Torrazzo Gonzaghesco” and in Villa Pasquali to see the ”Parrocchiale di Sant’Antonio Abate”, work by Antonio Bibiena and one of the Mantua Baroque Jewels. The most important squares in Sabbioneta are “Piazza d’Armi”, centre of the private life of the Lord, and “Piazza Ducale”, centre of the public and religious life and market square. “Palazzo del Giardino” stands in “Piazza d’Armi”.It was the place where Vespasiano used to have court parties. The most significant room is the “Sala degli Specchi”. The villa is connected to the “Galleria degli Antichi” which hosted a marble collection of classical age. In Piazza Ducale stands Palazzo Ducale, the Palazzo della Ragione, seat of the general vicar of the jails, and the Santa Maria Assunta Church, with a chapel projected by Bibiena covered with a pierced cupola. Next to the church, in the ancient parsonage seat, the Museo di Arte Sacra is hosted, where liturgical objects, paintings, tissues, sculptures, ancient documents and musical instruments are collected. A very rare object is the Toson d’Oro, Spanish decoration given to Vespasiano Gonzaga. Between the two squares stands the famous Teatro all’Antica, built between 1588 and 1590 on a Vincenzo Scamozzi’s project, Palladio’s pupil. Next to the Baluardo San Niccolò stands the Chiesa dell’Incoronata, with the characteristic octagonal shape. Inside there is the “Mausoleo di Vespasiano”, where the Toson d’oro was found. It is also possible to visit the suggestive synagogue. We will have lunch in a typical restaurant or in agritourism. In the afternoon, we will visit the Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie in Vigoreto, Rivarolo Mantovano, the boat bridge in Torre dell’Oglio and the Corte Castiglioni in Casatico di Marcaria (XV century). Return to Mantua. 3rd day: Cavriana – Castellaro Lagusello Excursion to the site of Bande di Cavriana, recently included together with Castellaro Lagusello in the UNESCO list of the pile – dwelling alpine site. We will continue with the visit to the Archaeological Museum of Cavriana, hosted in Villa Mirra, that collects relics from the Neolithic to the Renaissance (about 7.000 years) coming from the several archaeological sites of the nine commons of the morainic area in the northern province of Mantua. The exposed objects witness the everyday life and the commercial relationship between that population and the others of the east – central and Balkan Europe. Very important are the grave goods of Romanic age. At the end of the visit, we could have a taste in a wine cellar. Transfer to the medieval village of Castellaro Lagusello, belonging to the excellence club “The most beautiful villages in Italy” and honored with “Bandiera Arancione” of Touring Club of Italy. The city walls are still present with four original towers. Interesting is Villa Arrighi, which includes the little church of San Giuseppe and the baroque church of San Nicola di Bari, that preserves a very nice woodcarving Virgin Mary of the XV°. Lunch in a typical restaurant where you can taste the “capunsei”, elonged and pointed dumplings made with breadcrumbs, eggs, cheese and other recyclable ingredients: they are a typical dish of the area. Return to Mantua. End of services. .