Earthquake in Mantua. First news from Palazzo Te

May 29th - The Mayor of Mantua and the Director of Palazzo Te have checked through the Museum today at 16.30. They described falls of rubbles, of stuccoes and of frescoed plaster, and also vertical cracks in the North Wing: the Loggia of the Muses, the Exterior Loggia, the Hall of the Horses and the Chamber of Cupid and Psyche have been damaged.

Due to the earthquake Palazzo Te is closed indefinitely.

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A third of the Ducal Palace is now reopened: discover more reading this post.

29th May – New Earthquake in Mantua

29^th May – New Earthquake in Mantua. The lantern of the bell-tower of the Palatine Basilica of Santa Barbara,  the Palace Chapel for the Gonzagas, has collapsed. The Palatine Church of Santa Barbara was commissioned by the Duke Guglielmo Gonzaga and built between 1562 and 1572 by Giovan Battista Bertani. The bell-tower, with its characteristic lantern, was one of the most prominent landmarks of the skyline of the city.

Mantua Skyline at 12.00 on May 29th

Mantua Skyline at 13.00 on May 29th

Earthquake: damages in the Ducal Palace of Mantua

May 20th 2012 - Earthquake in Northern Italy: the Ducal Palace of Mantua has been damaged. About 40 centimeters squared (16 inches squared) with frescoes and stucco have been destroyed in the Gallery of the Marbles (aka Gallery of the Months). Mantegna's frescoes are unscathed. Many cracked ceilings and many horizontal cracks, mostly in the New Court.
The Museum is closed indefinitely.

Palazzo Te is unhurt, and open as usual.

A third of the Ducal Palace is now reopened: discover more reading this post.

Celebrating the Birthday of Isabella d'Este: Marchioness of Mantua and First Lady of the Renaissance

Isabella d’Este was born on May 17th, in the year 1474. Her birth is recorded in an illuminated manuscript – the Genealogy of the Princes of the Este Family: that book contains the very first portrait of Isabella, featuring here as a baby. Underneath her portrait these lines: “Isabella is the first legitimate daughter – and fourth natural child – of the Duke Hercules d’Este and his wife, Eleonor of Aragon. She was born on Tuesday 17th May, at half an hour after the first hour of the night”.

According to the Julian Calendar, Isabella was a Gemini, and her ascendant was Sagittarius. This zodiac sign appears on the reverse of the medal cast for Isabella by Giancristoforo Romano.

VisitMantua celebrates the anniversary of Isabella’s birth with a selection of the portraits of the “First Lady of the Renaissance”.

 

Anonymous Ferrarese illuminator – Giancristoforo Romano – Leonardo da Vinci
School of Leonardo – Anoymous cameo carver – Lorenzo Costa
Anyonimous Painter – Titian – Rubens

Do you want to know more about the woman, who  –  even during her lifetime – was named "The First Lady" of the Renaissance?
Contact us and discover through our professional services the beautiful and fascinating private rooms of Isabella in the Ducal Palace of Mantua. Or book your Tour via ToursByLocals.