Mantova

Enclosed by three lakes formed by the Mincio River - the Superior, the Middle, and the Inferior - which make up a natural defense on three sides, Mantova has very old origins: the first village on the locaiton seems to date back all the way to 2000 B.C., while in the 6th century B.C. the Etruscan city developed; the territory was then colonized by the veteran soldiers of Augustus. After numerous barbaric invasions and after having been under Canossa for a long time, it became a free commune in 1115, but it reached its period of maximum splendor during the long (more than 400 years, from 1433 to 1745) dominion of the Gonzaga family. The two large buildings, Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Te, placed at the two ends of the center, are evidence of the richness, the power, and the culture of this great family, in which you can say created the history of the city, making it one of the most vital cultural centers in Europe. During their dominion, the most important artists and writers of the era were called to the court, sometimes in refuge during difficult periods, and to produce relief works. Here followed Donatello, Leon Battista Alberti (on projects such as the basilicas of Sant'Andrea and San Sebastiano), the Pisanello, Luciano Laurana, Luca Fancelli, Andrea Mantegna, and many others, up to Giulio Pippi, called Giulio Romano, and his school to which the architectural and pictorial splendors of Palazzo Te are due. 

Some important works date back even to the communal period and to that, briefly, of the Bonacolsi dominion, such as Palazzo Bonacolsi, Palazzo del Podestà, that of Ragione, the churches of San Lorenzo and Gradara.

Often home of Exhibitions and national events, since 1997 the city has been the home to the most important and frequented festival of Literature, which takes place at the beginning of September and for which it is necessary to reserve a long time in advance.