Mantegna's House

The history of the House is linked to that of the Ducal family in the 16th century. In 1607 it was sold to Pirro Maria Gonzaga of the Vescovato branch of the family. Various transfers of property followed and in 1728 the building became property of the marquises Paleotti Lanzoni, who modified the building extensively. However, by doing this, the marquises managed to preserve the construction from inevitable ruin. In the 19th century the House became a school managed by the City of Mantua and more works followed. Finally, the House was managed by the Provincial Administration that, more recently, restored its exceptional structure in various phases, bringing back to life its beauty despite the loss of nearly all the interior decorations. The House has thus become a venue for prestigious exhibits and an information point on the life and works of the Maestro.