Ducal Castle – a journey into the heart of the Italian Renaissance

History and description

Built between 1395 and 1406 by order of Francesco I Gonzaga, a member of the family that ruled Mantua for three centuries, the castle was initially intended for defensive purposes before being transformed into a noble residence, conceived as a symbol of power. With a quadrangular plan featuring four towers, a moat, and several inner courtyards, the fortress consists of about 500 rooms, one of the most important being the Camera Picta, frescoed by Andrea Mantegna.

Curiosities

Over the years, the castle has also served as a film set and is surrounded by numerous legends, including that of the ghost of a young woman—said to appear on full-moon nights—murdered for being the lover of one of the Gonzaga. The site is also famous for the supposed existence of secret passages built by the family for potential escape, and for housing in the Camera degli Sposi the oculus, considered one of the earliest examples of perspective illusionism.

Access

The fortress is part of the Ducal Palace museum complex and can be visited, with reservation recommended, at the price of €15, with reductions and specific free entry days available.

How to reach it

The castle can be reached by car via the A22 motorway toward Modena, by train through the central station, or by local buses.

A true journey into the heart of the Italian Renaissance, the Ducal Castle of Mantua is a place rich in history, art, and beauty, making it a central stop on any itinerary in Lombardy!

Cover photo credits: trabantos