Mantua Italian Capital of Culture 2016 | 5 Collections

Palazzo Te

Mantova, Italy

Mantova Museo Urbano Diffuso

A city raised on the shores of beautiful lakes which in the past encircled and decorated it. A city celebrated by Virgil who was born in Andes: “I will raise a marble temple in the green countryside”. A city which hosts the most ancient christian relic, Jesus’ Blood that drained on Longino’s lance. A free city, raised in spite of matildic domination. A miracle of the Reinassance which has its center in the Ducale Palace and in the “Camera Picta” by Andrea Mantegna. A sixteenth century court which has collected infinite masterpieces, while the music and the theatre created unique moments. Finally, a city which hosted treasures, part of many ages and cultures, in the Teresiana Library, in the National Archive, in the museums. All these elements explain, together with Festilavletteratura, the title of Italian Capital of Culture 2016.

Biblioteca Teresiana

Mantova, Italy

Teatro Bibiena

The so called “scientific” theatre designed by Antonio Galli Bibiena in 1767, famous around the world for the interior decoration, is a real jewel, a place where artistic and musical perfection is achieved. To visit this theatre is to discover the splendour and grace of the Age of Enlightenment, accompanied by the spirit of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who performed on the opening night of the theatre January 16, 1770.

Palazzo del podestà

Two imposing buildings, connected to one another, stand at the centre of the city. In the course of the centuries they have housed the main institutions of the city: they were used as courts of justice, prisons, as places where disputes between citizens were settled. Also, these buildings were the headquarters of the Podestà, a figure whose function evolved and changed over time.