VisitMantua @ Bit2013

It's business time! VisitMantua is going to attend to BIT - International Tourism Exchange, the event leader in the Italian sector with 2,000 exhibitors from 120 Countries. Waiting for it, let's have a look to the opinion of some of our best clients!
Your satisfaction is our business!

Lorenzo Bonoldi is one of our company's finest local guides in Italy. His pre-tour preparations (maps, pictures, and mini-histories) are unique and impressive, and our travelers love his great combination of broad knowledge and accessible presentation. When we take our clients who have toured with Lorenzo to other countries, they often ask: "Find us a French/English/German Lorenzo Bonoldi!"
Jordan Cook
Program Manager - International Seminar Design, Inc.

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Not only has his expertise of art, history and culture proved to be superior; but his manner of professionalism and utmost respect for my groups has proved Mr. Bonoldi as our company's preferred guide in Italy. On several occasions my clients have specifically requested Mr. Bonoldi as their group's guide after having experienced one of his tours. When booking a tour with Mr. Bonoldi, I can consistently count on Mr. Bonoldi's proficiency and organization to cultivate an atmosphere of positive interaction amongst my groups. If I could travel to every European city with Mr. Lorenzo Bonoldi as my guide, I most certainly would.
Elizabeth Deans
Program Manager - International Seminar Design, Inc.
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We had the most fantastic time in reaching out to meet the Cultural Authorities to Save the Ducal Palace of Mantova, weakened after the earthquake. Lorenzo Bonoldi was our cultural diplomat.
Lorenzo, you were well prepared, well informed and I knew you were only a phone call away. The meetings were engaging and forward, the hotel warm and welcoming. You are an excellent guide. In addition to the visits to the Ducal Palace, you gave us lively and informative commentaries during our journeys in and around Mantova. We appreciated your great knowledge of Mantova and your command of Italian & English languages. We liked your very interesting, well-timed commentaries on the places we were visiting, your good provision for each stage of our daily trips, your real competence and good manner (and good jokes).
We praise you for all the arrangements and the meticulous detail and communications you provided for arranging a most exceptional tour to the “Arts and Palaces of Mantova”, which helped to make everything go so smoothly and such a success. I choose the word “exceptional” with care since it cannot often happen that you could visit a closed Ducal Palace for a noble cause of saving the frescoes of Andrea Mantegna!
Thank you Lorenzo for fielding the passion to draw the international attention on the cultural devastations of the earthquake in Emilia Romagna! Your programme was just right being a balance of culture, history, leisure and sightseeing completed by our visit to Palazzo Te. What can I say! Just faultless!
∀lessandro Berg∀
Editor - Mode Diplomatique
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A guided tour with Lorenzo Bonoldi is a sublime experience. He is highly knowledgeable about Italian art, architecture, and history, and has great passion for his work. He has guided me around Italy's historic sights and helped immeasurably with my research. He is also charming, engaging, and flexible. Lorenzo is truly a gentleman and a scholar, and he will enhance the Italian experience for both the casual tourist and the serious scholar alike.

Karen Essex
Author of the international bestseller "Leonardo's Swans"

Visita Notturna al Palazzo Ducale di Mantova

Mantova, Palazzo Ducale: al calare della notte si accendono le luci sull'arte! In occasione dei "Martedì in Arte" il giorno 30 agosto sarà possibile visitare il Palazzo Ducale di Mantova di sera. Il Museo sarà aperto gratuitamente. VisitMantua vi offre l'opportunità di scoprire la reggia dei Gonzaga con una visita guidata a prezzo speciale: soli 5 euro a persona! Non perderte questa occasione: vedrete gli splendori dei Gonzaga rifulgere nelle tenebre della notte.

IL NUMERO DEI PARTECIPANTI è LIMITATO! Prenotatevi per assicurarvi la possibilità di partecipare alla visita guidata.

 
Per informazioni e prenotazioni contattate: visit.mantua@gmail.com

biblioteca@comune.cavriana.mn.it | tel 0376804053

Sensual art in Palazzo Te

The inscription running around the walls of the chamber of Cupid and Psyche (or Eros and Psyche) in Palazzo Te says that Federico Gonzaga, lord of Mantua, “ordered its construction for his honest leisure after hard work to regain his strength in peace”.

What kind of “honest leisure”? Well, this detail of the frescos painted by Giulio Romano can answer the question.
Among the amorous-themed paintings in the room, this one has been treated with an extraordinary boldness, reflecting the flaming passion for sexual pleasure, which marked the behaviors of Federico Gonzaga.
The scene shows the king of gods Jupiter entering – disguised as a snake – into the bed of Olympias, queen of Macedonia. According the legend, in consequence of this intercourse the Queen gave birth to Alexander the Great.
The scene is forthrightly pornographic. But the fresco is also referring to a biographical aspect of Federico's life: the lord of Mantua had a child from his mistress, Isabella Boschetti, who used to live in this Palace. And this son was named Alexander.
Want to know more? Contact us and discover through our professional services the people, the stories and the art, who have made Mantua one of the capitals of the Renaissance.


L'iscrizione che corre sulle pareti della camera di Amore e Psiche a Palazzo Te dichara che Federico Gonzaga, signore di Mantova, "ne ordinò la costruzione per l'onesto ozio, al fine di ritemprare la forze nella quiete dopo le fatiche".
Che tipo di "onesto ozio"? Beh, questo dettaglio degli affreschi dipinti da Giulio Romano può rispondere alla domanda.
Tra i dipinti a tema amoroso della stanza, questo è stato trattato con un’incredibile audacia, che riflette la passione ardente per i piaceri della carne, che tanto ha segnato i comportamenti di Federico Gonzaga.
La scena mostra Giove, il re degli dei, mentre – mutatosi in serpente – entra nel letto di Olimpia, regina di Macedonia. Secondo la leggenda, in conseguenza di questo rapporto, la regina diede alla luce Alessandro Magno.
La scena è senza mezzi termini pornografica. Ma l'affresco è anche riferimento ad un aspetto biografico della vita di Federico: il signore di Mantova ebbe infatti un figlio dalla sua amante, Isabella Boschetti, che viveva in questo palazzo. E a questo figlio fu dato il nome Alessandro.
Volete saperne di più? Contattateci e scoprite attraverso i nostri servizi professionali le persone, le storie e i tesori dell'arte, che hanno fatto di Mantova una delle capitali del Rinascimento.

Let me introduce myself

“I am an Art Historian dedicated to
Leisure, Travel and Professional Tourism”

I was born in Mantua in 1978. After attending a secondary school focusing on humanitarian studies (where I learned Latin and Ancient Greek) I moved to Venice where I studied in Ca’Foscari University, and graduated in the History of Art with top marks and honours. The topic of my thesis was Isabella d’Este, Marchioness of Mantua.

During my University years I joined the “Classical Tradition Seminar”, and with my colleagues and professors I founded the on-line magazine “ Engramma”. With the same group of scholars I also published the book “L’Originale Assente”.

After the University, I came back to Mantua, where I won a study-award (2.000 euro) and a scholarship (8.000 euro), allowing me extend my research.

Since 2006 I have an Italian State license as a Professional Guide.

In 2008 I acted as Scientific Curator for the exhibition “ Classico Manifesto” (Milan, Triennale), dealing with the relationships between Art and Advertising.

In 2009 I was engaged by Skira Publisher and “Il Corriere della Sera” (one of the most well regarded and popular Italian newspapers) to write guide books of Italian cities (Mantua, Siracusa, Catania and Bari) as well as a book on Giulio Romano. I also write for one of the most renowned and best-known Italian Art Magazines: “Art e Dossier”.

In 2010 I was commissioned by the local Council to train Urban Stewards of Mantua (assistants for tourists).

At the moment I am commissioned by the Council of Mantua to do a survey on the decoration of Palazzo Te.

During my educational background, I attended summer English courses in Dublin, Durham, Norwich, Plymouth and Chester. After my degree I started to have private language lessons. Thanks to the meetings with my tutor (a British opera-singer), I have improved my knowledge of artistic terms in English.

In my career I have guided many tourist groups – including very specialized ones, like those organized by the International Seminar Design INC. I’ve also shown celebrities - including MPs, writers (Michel Faber and Alexander McCall Smith) and music stars (Simon LeBon and Nick Rhodes) around Mantua.

So, if you are planning to pay a visit to Mantua, I am your perfect point of reference. You can count on me to make your guided tour a day to be remembered.

Lorenzo Bonoldi
VisitMantua Administrator

Travelling to Italy? Plan a pleasant stay in Mantua!

When planning a trip to Italy, you should consider Mantua as a "not to be missed" and pleasent stay in your itinerary.
According to the Frommer's Guide, Mantua is "one of Lombardy's finest cities is in the farthest reaches of the region, making it a logical addition to a trip to Venice or Parma as well as to Milan".

Mantua in the south of Lombardy is wedged between Emilia and Veneto regions as a borderline province. The city and its territory can be easily reached for a stay that will not disappoint visitors.

Mantua is also an ideal destination for a one-day excursion, departing from the surrounding cities such as Brescia, Verona, Vicenza, Padua, Ferrara, Modena, Parma, and Cremona.  The Garda Lake is only 40 minutes away.
Venice is 160 km (100 miles); Milan 180 (112 miles). Both are about 2 hours by bus. From Mantua it is also possible to reach Ferrara and Venice by ship with private river cruises. 

The nearest airports are:

"Catullo" - Verona (Km 20 / miles 12,5)
"Gabriele D'Annunzio" - Brescia (Km 60 / miles 37,5)
"Giuseppe Verdi" - Parma (Km 60 / miles 37,5)
"Guglielmo Marconi" - Bologna (Km 100 / miles 62)
"Orio al Serio" - Bergamo (Km 100 / miles 62)
"Marco Polo" - Venice (Km 180 / miles 112)

Need more information? Looking for a local guide? Contact us!

The lake "en rose"

If you are planning to pay a visit to Mantua in the summertime, you can't miss the opportunity of seeing the blossoming of the lotus flowers on the lakes surrounding the city. Trust us: this is a really not to be missed sight!!! Although the lotus is not a native plant (it has been introduced in Mantua less than a century ago, in 1921), these flowers have now become a distinctive landmark of the city. In July and August a huge area of the lakes is completely covered with these Asiatic flowers. Their pink petals stand over the water and create a delicious fragrance in the air.
You can see the flowers from the lake shores, but the best way to enjoy this unforgettable experience is to sail among them on a boat. We can help you in planning and booking this boat-excursion. So do not hesitate to contact us: we are always pleased to offer you our professional tourist services at all times.

Isabella d'Este's private rooms in the Ducal Palace

After reading Karen Essex's novel "Leonardo's Swans", you will love the Isabella d'Este's private rooms where the Marchioness's spirit is still living within these spaces.
Yes it's true! Although now they are quite empty: the most of Isabella's art collection having been dispersed amongst the most important museums in the world. And today only a few pieces still remain in Mantua. But the fine frescos, the precious wooden inlays, the gilded ceilings and Isabella's secret garden still tell us a lot about the woman, who  –  even during her lifetime – was named "The First Lady" of the Renaissance.
When planning to pay a visit to Isabella's rooms, please be aware that they are not included in the usual visitor's route within the Ducal Palace of Mantua. Visitors wishing to see them may have to ask for special permission to see them. We will be only too happy to help you in getting this permission. 

Contact us and discover through our professional services these beautiful and fascinating rooms.