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The Castle of Saint George (Castello di San Giorgio) is part of the Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale) in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Mantua, Italy. The palace was the home of the Gonzaga family during their reign in Mantua.

 

History

The Castle of Saint George was built between 1395 and 1406 by Francesco I Gonzaga to defend Mantua. In 1459, it was renovated as a palace by Ludovico III Gonzaga. It was built on the site of a church, Santa Maria di Capo di Bove.

Entrance to the castle in Mantua, Italy
Entrance to the castle

 

Entering the Castle

We started our visit by walking through a tunnel to Piazza Castello. Then we walked over a bridge and entered the castle.

Tunnel to Piazza Castello in Mantua, Italy
Tunnel to Piazza Castello
Piazza Castello in Mantua, Italy
Piazza Castello
Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Castle of Saint George

 

Bridal Chamber

Next, we walked up a covered stairway decorated with frescoes and made our way to the most famous room in the castle, the Bridal Chamber (Camera degli Sposi).

Covered stairway at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Covered stairway

The room is filled with incredible frescoes painted by Andrea Mantegna between 1465 and 1474.

Camera degli Sposi at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Bridal Chamber
Camera degli Sposi at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Bridal Chamber
Camera degli Sposi at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Fresco in the Bridal Chamber
Camera degli Sposi at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Detail of a fresco in the Bridal Chamber

There are some different scenes represented in the frescoes. The Court Scene shows Ludovico III with his wife, Barbara of Brandenburg, seated with a group of relatives.

Court Scene at Camera degli Sposi at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Court Scene

The Meeting Scene depicts Ludovico III meeting with his son, Cardinal Francesco Gonzaga, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III, and Christian I of Denmark.

Meeting Scene at Camera degli Sposi at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Meeting Scene

On the ceiling, Mantegna painted an “opening” with a blue sky, with playful cherubs and people looking down into the room.

Ceiling at Camera degli Sposi at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Ceiling

 

Other Rooms

Next, we walked through a couple more rooms the featured frescoes on the ceiling and displayed a few works of religious art.

Frescoed ceiling at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Frescoed ceiling
Statues at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Statues
Frescoed ceiling at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Frescoed ceiling
Painting at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Painting
Painting at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Painting

We finished our visit to the Castle of Saint George in the courtyard before moving on to see the Old Court (Corte Vecchia).

Courtyard at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Courtyard
Courtyard at Castello di San Giorgio in Mantua, Italy
Courtyard

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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