Mantua was not alone in experiencing the splendours of the Gonzaga family. In their feuds the cadet lines of the Gonzaga family gave birth to courts rich in works of art. Among all these feuds Sabbioneta became the Little Athens of the Renaissance thanks to a Gonzaga grown-up among the great of Europe. In the 16th century a village was turned into a capital town thanks to its Prince: Vespasiano Gonzaga. Sabbioneta boasts an almost intact Renaissance street-network, a city wall, two city gates, urbanistic structures and buildings like the theatre, the Ducal Palace, the Garden Palace, the long gallery, the Incoronata church, where Vespasiano was buried, and the synagogue. The theatre represented a real revolutionary work, being the first example of permanent theatre in an age of strolling players. Sabbioneta is located 30 km west from Mantua.
The guided tour starts with Palazzo Giardino (inside visit), the private villa of Vespasiano Gonzaga. Linked to the palace the long gallery called "Corridor Grande" (inside visit) which housed the Vespasiano's art collections. Waking down the main street we reach the Renaissance theatre (inside visit), the second permanent theater buiklt after the Roman age but the very first one in the theatre history to use a foyer, a stage door and dressing rooms. Around the Ducal square it is still possible to see the Renaissance public buildings, the city church of Assunta and the Ducal palace (inside visit). At the corner of Ducal square stands the Jewish suburb with the Synagogue (inside visit). Walk through some street up to one of the city Gates where it is possible to see city wall.
The guided tour starts in Piazza Armi nr 1 in front of the Palazzo Giardino where IAT (tourist office) is.
Tickets: 12 Euro/each adult and € 5,00/each up to 18.
Ticket is valid for Garden Palace, Ducal Palace, long Gallery Corridor Grande, Theatre and Synagogue
My name is Manuela and I’m a professional licensed tour guide in Mantua (It.Mantova), Ferrara, Bologna, Modena and Parma. I was born in the middle of the Po Valley on the border between Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Regions, and it was natural for me to become a licensed guide in both regions. I'm a mix of the two cultures I get along with the Lombard pragmatism and the Emilian jovial and open minded lifestyle. But from both cultures, above anything else, I have taken the best: culture, history, art and …why not … good food and wines! I love showing people the best these cities and their provinces can offer. Follow me and you will discover not only beautiful squares and ancient buildings, but also less known city corners, everyday life stories and the reason why this area is called the “Italian Food Valley”. I love enjoying the wonder of my guests while I'm talking about art and history, looking at their open mouthed faces, see their surprising eyes and hear their exciting comments and, last but not least, … their delight in looking, smelling and tasting our typical products. I can provide private guided tours for Individuals, families, small and big groups, school groups, walking day and night tours and … custom-made tours. If You have questions please ask me without hesitation. Try and Be my SPECIAL GUESTS! Full profile ⋅ Leave a Review
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