PALAZZO
DUCALE (Gonzaga Palace)
This complex of buildings is extremely interesting, both for the beauty of
the rooms as well as for its art collections.The whole body of buildings,
which were erected, enlarged and restructured in different periods (XIII -
XVIII century) covers a total area of about 34.000 sq.m., some parts of
which stand out distinctly:
- Domus Magna
- Palazzo del Capitano
- Castello di San Giorgio
- Chiesa di Santa Barbara
and a series of
courtyards, small squares and gardens.
The "Captain's
Palace", together with the Domus Magna, is the oldest part of the whole
complex (1200 A.D.) and an important testimony to medieval Mantuan
architecture.
The two buildings can today be seen on the eastern side of
Piazza Sordello.
The Saint George
Castle was built between 1300 A.D. and 1400 A.D. to strengthen both the
military and political power of the Gonzaga, who entrusted its plans to the
architect Bartolino da Novara .
In 1459 the
building was turned into a residence. Inside, visitors can see the famous
"Camera degli Sposi" by Andrea Mantegna.
The Church of Saint Barbara, designed by Giovan Battista Bertani, was built
around the middle of the sixteenth-century.
It houses wooden sculptures
dating back to the end of the seventeenth-century, as well as precious
sacred vestments.
The Hanging
Garden (Giardino Pensile), designed by P. Pedemonte and built in 1579, is
well worth a visit.
The central
nucleus of the political life under the patronage of the House of Gonzaga,
Palazzo Ducale also became the center of artistic life.
Among its guests
internationally famous artists such as Mantegna, Pisanello, Giulio Romano,
and Rubens, who decorated and enriched the various parts of the palace with
paintings, frescos, tapestries, statues, decorations and extremely refined
furnishings.
Palazzo Ducale - Photo © 
It houses wooden sculptures
dating back to the end of the seventeenth-century, as well as precious
sacred vestments.