Mantova’s self-indulgent Prince Frederick II Gonzaga liked the good things in life. So much so that in the early 1500s Frederick ordered construction of a magnificent pleasure palace where he could indulge himself, his mistress and his friends in il dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing.

The Prince’s obsessions – passion, feasting, astrology and horses – are laid out for all to see on the frescoed walls of his magnificent Palazzo Te. Each room in the palace is seemingly more spectacular than the one before it.

From Palazzo Ducale at the other end of the city, the Gonzaga family ruled Mantova for almost 400 years; along the way amassing treasures and creating ever more extravagant spaces in which to display them.

Mantova is often described as the ‘Jewel of the Renaissance’. It is a gem of dazzling beauty and certainly the Gonzaga’s lavish lifestyle is still providing pleasure today. Prince Frederick would be delighted.

 

Palazzo Te
Palazzo Te
The pleasure palace
The pleasure palace
Indulgence on display
Indulgence on display
The Chamber of Cupid and Psyche
The Chamber of Cupid and Psyche
This room, Fall of the Giants, is a masterpiece by Giulio Romano (1530-1532)
This room, Fall of the Giants, is a masterpiece by Giulio Romano (1530-1532)
The artist had been a student of Raphael
The artist had been a student of Raphael
The all-powerful gods of Olympus represented the Gonzaga family
The all-powerful gods of Olympus represented the Gonzaga family
The gods unleash their fury on the Giants
The gods unleash their fury on the Giants
Palazzo Te's Hall of the Horses, the most important guests were greeted here
Palazzo Te's Hall of the Horses, the most important guests were greeted here
The doorway provides a perspective on the size of the marble fireplace
The doorway provides a perspective on the size of the marble fireplace
Chamber of the Eagles
Chamber of the Eagles
The amazing Hall of the Zodiac
The amazing Hall of the Zodiac
Also known as Napolean's Hall after the French emperor slept here
Also known as Napolean's Hall after the French emperor slept here
Cancer and Gemini
Cancer and Gemini
Palazzo Ducale - the Gonzaga family ruled Mantova for almost 400 years
Palazzo Ducale - the Gonzaga family ruled Mantova for almost 400 years
The Palace's Camera degli Sposi (the Bridal Chamber)
The Palace's Camera degli Sposi (the Bridal Chamber)
Andrea Mantegna painted these frescoes between 1471 and 1474
Andrea Mantegna painted these frescoes between 1471 and 1474
The ceiling oculus, or opening to the sky, is remarkable
The ceiling oculus, or opening to the sky, is remarkable
The spectacular Hall of Mirrors
The spectacular Hall of Mirrors
Hall of Mirrors ceiling fresco
Hall of Mirrors ceiling fresco
The Hall of the Archers
The Hall of the Archers
Rubens' painting 'The Gonzaga Family in Adoration of the Holy Trinity' (1605)
Rubens' painting 'The Gonzaga Family in Adoration of the Holy Trinity' (1605)
The Sala degli Arazzi (Room of the Tapestries), though there are actually several rooms of these extraordinary Flemish tapestries
The Sala degli Arazzi (Room of the Tapestries), though there are actually several rooms of these extraordinary Flemish tapestries
The collection was restored in 1799 before being hung on these walls
The collection was restored in 1799 before being hung on these walls
The tapestries were based on drawings by Raphael
The tapestries were based on drawings by Raphael
No space is left unadorned
No space is left unadorned
Corridor of the Moors
Corridor of the Moors
Looking into the Palazzo Ducale garden
Looking into the Palazzo Ducale garden
Recognising members of the Gonzaga family
Recognising members of the Gonzaga family
The Biblioteca Teresiana
The Biblioteca Teresiana
The library was developed by Empress Maria Teresa of Austria, hence 'Teresiana'
The library was developed by Empress Maria Teresa of Austria, hence 'Teresiana'
It's been in continuous use since 1780
It's been in continuous use since 1780
Mantova's Teatro Bibiena
Mantova's Teatro Bibiena
In 1770 Mozart played here as a 13-year-old; the performance was a huge success
In 1770 Mozart played here as a 13-year-old; the performance was a huge success
An early morning stroll near Mantova's lakes
An early morning stroll near Mantova's lakes
The city is surrounded on three sides by artificial lakes built as defences in the 12th century
The city is surrounded on three sides by artificial lakes built as defences in the 12th century
There are plenty of fish in the lake (and on plates in the city's restaurants)
There are plenty of fish in the lake (and on plates in the city's restaurants)
Piazza delle Erbe
Piazza delle Erbe
Mantova architecture
Mantova architecture
Cathedral San Pietro
Cathedral San Pietro
In Sordello Square
In Sordello Square
The world goes by
The world goes by
Saturday morning catch up
Saturday morning catch up
It's a thing
It's a thing
And after all that, it was definitely aperitivo time
And after all that, it was definitely aperitivo time