Ducal Palace, Mantua

Name: Ducal Palace
Address: Piazza Sordello, 40, Mantua, 46100, Italy
Telephone: +39 0376 352100

#2 among attractions in Mantua

Museum, Top attraction, Vernacular architecture, Gothic architecture, More...

Gallery (11)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Velvet / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Zairon / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Zairon / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Raffaele pagani / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Zairon / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Klaus Graf / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / JoJan / URL

Facts and practical information

The Ducal Palace, or Palazzo Ducale, is a historic royal residence situated in the heart of Mantua, Italy, embodying the grandeur and elegance of the Renaissance era. This sprawling complex, once the seat of the Gonzaga family, rulers of Mantua for almost four centuries, offers visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle and political power of one of Italy's most influential dynasties.

The palace complex is a treasure trove of architectural innovation and artistic masterpieces, boasting over 500 rooms interconnected through corridors and galleries, each adorned with artwork by prominent artists of the time. One of the highlights of the Ducal Palace is the Camera degli Sposi, or Bridal Chamber, which features exquisite frescoes by the renowned Renaissance artist Andrea Mantegna, showcasing the artistic sophistication and cultural prominence of the Gonzaga court.

Visitors to the Ducal Palace can explore numerous courtyards, gardens, and individual palaces within the compound, including the Castello di San Giorgio, which houses Mantegna's frescoes. Each section of the palace reflects different periods and aspects of Gonzaga patronage, from the medieval to the baroque.

The Ducal Palace is not only a testament to the past grandeur of Mantua but also a cultural hub, hosting various exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. It is open to the public, and guided tours are available, offering an in-depth understanding of the historical and artistic significance of the site.

Local name: Palazzo Ducale Architectural style: RenaissanceCoordinates: 45°9'37"N, 10°47'57"E

Address

Piazza Sordello, 40Mantua 46100 Italy

Contact

+39 0376 352100

Website

Social media

Facebook

Mantua

Day trips

Ducal Palace – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Basilica Palatina Santa Barbara, Mantua Cathedral, Basilica di Sant'Andrea, Piazza Virgiliana.

~100 ftE
Church
Basilica Palatina Santa Barbara, Mantua
1 min walk • The Basilika Palatina di Santa Barbara is the Palatine Chapel of the House of Gonzaga in Mantua, Italy.
~440 ftNW
Cathedral spanning architectural styles
Mantua Cathedral, Mantua
3 min walk • Mantua Cathedral in Mantua, Lombardy, northern Italy, is a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to Saint Peter. It is the seat of the Bishop of Mantua.
~1300 ftW
Renaissance church and relic of Christ
Basilica di Sant'Andrea, Mantua
7 min walk • The Basilica of Sant'Andrea is a Roman Catholic co-cathedral and minor basilica in Mantua, Lombardy. It is one of the major works of 15th-century Renaissance architecture in Northern Italy.
~1430 ftNW
Historical place, Park
Piazza Virgiliana, Mantua
7 min walk • The Piazza Virgiliana is an oblong shaped park in the center of Mantua, region of Lombardy Italy. It spans from a circumvailling Piazza Virgilliana street, fed from Piazza dei Filipinni by Via Virgilio, and stretching northwest towards Lago di Mezzo, from which it is separated by a wall and a span of the busy SS62 highway.
~1330 ftSW
Tower
Clock Tower, Mantua
7 min walk • The Torre dell'Orologio is a 15th-century renaissance tower on the Piazza delle Erbe in Mantua, Italy. It is attached to the Palazzo della Ragione, and next to the Rotonda di San Lorenzo. It houses an astronomical clock.
0.4 miNW
Palace, Neoclassical architecture
Palazzo Cavriani, Mantua
12 min walk • Palazzo Cavriani is an aristocratic palace with gardens located in Mantua, Italy. The palace is also sometimes referred to as the Palazzo Gonzaga-Spolverini, but the palace belonging to those families was either razed or subsumed into the present neoclassical structure and garden.
~1100 ftSW
Architecture, Historical place, Palace
Palazzo del Podestà, Mantua
6 min walk • The Palazzo del Podestà, or Palazzo del Broletto, is a 13th-century palace, located between Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Broletto, in the center of Mantua, region of Lombardy, Italy. The building for many years serving as the offices of the Municipality. The main facade faces Piazza Broletto.
~1360 ftSW
Church, Ruins, Romanesque architecture
Rotonda di San Lorenzo, Mantua
7 min walk • The Rotonda di San Lorenzo is a religious building in Mantua, Lombardy. It is the most ancient church in the city. It is now sunk below the level of the Piazza della Erbe.
~1980 ftW
Church
Santi Simone e Giuda, Mantua
10 min walk • Santi Simone e Giuda is a Renaissance architecture, Roman Catholic church located in Mantua, region of Lombardy, Italy. The church rises near the Palazzo d'Arco and the Church of the Fillipines in Mantua.
0.5 miW
Museum, Vernacular architecture, Specialty museum
Palazzo d'Arco, Mantua
13 min walk • The Palazzo D'Arco is a Neoclassical-style palace located on Piazza Carlo D'Arco #4 in Mantua, region of Lombardy, Italy. The palace houses the Museo di Palazzo d'Arco, which displays the furnishings and artwork collected by the Duke D'Arco.
~420 ftNE
Museum, Vernacular architecture, Art museum
Camera degli Sposi, Mantua
3 min walk • The Camera degli Sposi, sometimes known as the Camera picta, is a room frescoed with illusionistic paintings by Andrea Mantegna in the Ducal Palace, Mantua, Italy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Ducal Palace open?

Ducal Palace is open:

Monday closed
Tuesday 8:15 am - 7:15 pm
Wednesday 8:15 am - 7:15 pm
Thursday 8:15 am - 7:15 pm
Friday 8:15 am - 7:15 pm
Saturday 8:15 am - 7:15 pm
Sunday 8:15 am - 7:15 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Ducal Palace?

Nearby attractions include Basilica Palatina Santa Barbara, Mantua (1 min walk), Castle of St. George, Mantua (2 min walk), Camera degli Sposi, Mantua (3 min walk), Mantua Cathedral, Mantua (3 min walk).

How to get to Ducal Palace by public transport?

The nearest stations to Ducal Palace:

Bus

Piazza Cavallotti • Lines: 4C, 4S, 4T (13 min walk)
Corso Vittorio Emanuele - Piazza Cavallotti • Lines: 12, 9 (13 min walk)

Train

Mantova (20 min walk)