Holiday apartment in Mantua: UNESCO heritage, rivers and cycle paths

Mantua and Sabbioneta form part of a UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed in 2008 under criteria (ii) and (iii). Mantua is characterised by the renewal and expansion of an existing city; its irregular urban layout documents phases of development dating back to Roman times. Sabbioneta, by contrast, is a city planned in the second half of the 16th century with a rectangular grid layout that embodies Renaissance ideas of the ideal city. The distinct urban history of the Mantuan area is already evident in these two places.

Culture

Palazzo Te was built and decorated between 1525 and 1535 as a masterpiece by Giulio Romano. Palazzo Te offers general or themed educational programmes with practical workshops for schools and accompanied groups of children. The building has a single entrance with a ramp. In the Palazzo Ducale, a palace city developed whose parts are connected by galleries, porticoes and monumental squares. The Polirone monastery complex has also left a significant historical mark: it was founded in 1007 by Tedaldo di Canossa on an island between the Po and the Lirone River.

Nature

The area around Mantua is characterised by the Po, Mincio, Chiese, Oglio and Secchia rivers, as well as by a network of drainage and land-reclamation canals. The Paludi di Ostiglia nature reserve is home to 175 bird species; the area belongs to the Natura 2000 network and is recognised as a wetland of international importance. From the visitor centre, a green path leads to the observation hides. Access is free all year round on foot or by bicycle. The Paludi di Ostiglia are connected via the Ciclabile dei Parchi, the Via Claudia Augusta and provincial cycle route 9.

The Parco del Mincio also offers different perspectives on the landscape: guided tours in the park and at the park centres are offered through its tourism and education office. On the water, I Barcaioli del Mincio offer boat trips on Lago Superiore and in the Valli del Mincio. Departures are from Rivalta sul Mincio, Grazie di Curtatone and Mantova. One of the boats is equipped to transport people with disabilities and is fully covered to protect against rain.

Cycle paths

The cycle path network of Oltrepò Mantovano comprises more than 470 kilometres of routes and connects villages and hamlets with historic buildings, museums, water-management structures, parks and nature reserves.

A notable connection is the Ciclovia Mantova–Peschiera. It starts at Mantova railway station and follows the artificial Diversivo del Mincio canal; a branch leads to the Bosco della Fontana state reserve. On the UNESCO cycle route, the return journey from Suzzara to Mantova is planned by regional train; bicycles may always be taken on board.

Places in the Mantuan area

Other place names to explore include: Ponti Sul Mincio, Solferino, Volta Mantovana, Goito, Villastrada, Sermide, Rodigo, Mantova, Castiglione Delle Stiviere, Castel Dʼario, San Giorgio Di Mantova, Canneto Sull'oglio, Campitello, Monzambano, Marcaria, Marmirolo, Porto Mantovano, Suzzara, Virgilio, Pegognaga, Palidano, Roverbella, Rivarolo Mantovano, Sabbioneta, Ceresara, Buscoldo, San Giacomo Delle Segnate, San Benedetto Po, Ostiglia, Curtatone, Barche, Gazoldo Degli Ippoliti, Viadana, Pomponesco, Scorzarolo, Bagnolo San Vito, Sustinente, Davini, Cesole, Roncoferraro, Cavriana, Casaloldo, Castellucchio, Redondesco, Governolo, Gonzaga, Revere, Libiola, Correggioverde, Castel Goffredo, Castellaro Lagusello, Asola, Medole, Casalmoro, Motteggiana, Gazzuolo, Moglia, Piubega, Pietole, Eremo, Gabbiana and Poggio Rusco.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lombardy.