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MUSEUMS
IN MANTOVA
Palazzo Ducale:
is situated on the eastern
side of Piazza Sordello and is characterized by a series of
arcades and varying mullioned windows in a complex from the
late-medieval period. The construction began after the Gonzaga
came into power in 1328 and from that moment until the end
of the reigning dynasty in 1707, works have been carried out
in alternating phases of construction transformation and enclosing.
The original artistic collection was amongst one of the most
renowned in Europe, for its richness and quality. Unfortunately,
it was dispersed between 1627 and 1628 when the same dukes
began to sell off pieces. The Palazzo was restored in 1899
– when it was void of every type of treasure, and not
to mention frescoes – then from 1915/20 began to host
the collection of the Civic Museum. The present day Ducal
Palace Museum is based on this very collection. Frescoes by
Pisanello and Mantegna alternate, during the course of the
visit to paintings by Rubens, a classic statue and characteristic
ambiences like the small Study. The gardens and internal courtyards
are also notable and perfectly preserved.
Museo Nuvolari – Guerra (Nuvolari and Guerra Museum):
a curious exhibition which has found a niche in the medieval
Palazzo del Podestà in Piazza del Broletto. The museum
in dedicated to the two glories of the City: the pilot Tazio
Nuvolari and cyclist Learco Guerra.
Museo Diocesano Francesco Gonzaga (Diocesan Museum):
is located in Piazza Virgiliana in the old monastery of S.
Agnese, and was opened in 1983. The museum conserves sacred
jewellery from the Cathedral of S. Barbara and an important
collection of 15th Century armour. The collection also contains
pictorial works, frescoes, sinopites, designs and miniatures.
Amongst the various signed pieces, there are works by Mantegna
and Correggio.
Palazzo d’Arco:
is in Piazza S. Giovanni and the bequest of a family from
Trento who transferred to Mantova in the 1700’s. The
building was constructed at the end of the 18th Century and
since 1973 was changed into a foundation. Its interior not
only preserves furniture and treasures from the era, but has
also retained the original look of the home of this noble
family. There are also areas in the rooms where visitors can
enjoy an important naturalistic collection, an archive and
a library with renowned illustrated miniature books (codici
miniati). The Room of Justice and Zodiacal Rooms are very
beautiful, with the latter being decorated with prospective
frescoes and positioned in a wing in the Palazzo which incorporates
a part of the Renaissance building (in fact, the frescoes
date back to the second decennium of the 16th Century.)
Palazzo Te:
is situated at the end of the Viario axis, beginning at the
centre then along Via Roma and ending up in Piazzale Vittorio
Veneto. The name of the Palazzo derives from the suburban
area on which it stands (the “Tejeto” or hut area,
or even a derivation of “Tiglieto” place of Tigli
(Lime trees). It’s more of a huge villa than a Palazzo.
A 16th Century work which carries the signature of Guilio
Romano, artist and architect from the Raffaello School. It
was also used for relaxation by the Dukes and was linked to
the Court Stables. The exterior is a mixture of 16th Century
elegance and more rustic aspects. The interior is fabulously
decorated and the route follows the succession of the rooms
with mythological themes, the name deriving from the subject
of the frescoes, decorative designs and examples of Mannerism
from the 16th Century. The most famous rooms are the Horse
Room, the Psyche Room, the Wind Room and the Room of Giants.
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