The Rotunda of St Lorenzo in Medieval City of Mantua in Lombardy Northern Italy
Mantua's historic power and influence under the Gonzaga family, made it one of the main artistic, cultural and notably musical hubs of Northern Italy and the whole country itself. Mantua is noted for its significant role in the history of opera, as it was here that Verdi’s Opera Rigaletto was set and the city is known for its several architectural treasures, elegant palazzi, and its medieval and Renaissance cityscape. It is also the town where Romeo was banished to in William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. Mantua is surrounded on three sides by artificial lakes created during the 12th century. These receive the waters from the Mincio, which descend from Lake Garda. The three lakes are called Lago Superiore, Lago di Mezzo, and Lago Inferiore ("Superior", "Middle", and "Inferior" Lakes). A fourth lake, Lake Pajolo, which once completed a defensive water ring of the city, dried up at the end of the 18th century. The Gonzaga protected art and culture, and hosted several important artists like Leone Battista Alberti, Andrea Mantegna, Giulio Romano, Donatello, Peter Paul Rubens, Pisanello, Domenico Fetti, Luca Fancelli and Nicolò Sebregondi. Though many of the masterworks have been dispersed, the cultural value of Mantua is nonetheless outstanding. The Palazzo Ducale, famous residence of the Gonzaga family, is made up by a number of buildings, courtyards and gardens gathered around the Palazzo del Capitano, the Magna Domus, and the Castle of St. George. Other sites are the Basilica of Sant'Andrea and the Duomo, the Rotonda di San Lorenzo and the Torre della Gabbia ("Cage Tower")
Size: 5030px × 3341px
Location: The Medieval City of Mantua in Lombardy Northern Italy
Photo credit: © Brenda Kean / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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