Ducal Palace, Mantua
| Palazzo Ducale di Mantova | |
|---|---|
The Magna Domus | |
Interactive map of the Palazzo Ducale di Mantova area | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| Location | Mantua, Lombardy, Piazza Sordello 40, Italy |
| Year built | 13th–18th century |
| Client | Bonacolsi, Gonzaga |
| Owner | Ministry of Culture |
Palazzo del Capitano | |
| Location | Mantua, Lombardy, Italy |
|---|---|
| Type | Art |
| Collections | Paintings and sculptures |
| Director | Stefano L'Occaso |
| Owner | Ministry of Culture |
| Exhibition area | 34,000 m² |
| Visitors | 346,462 (2019) |
The Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace) in Mantua, also known as the Gonzaga Palace, is one of the city's main historic buildings. From 1308, it served as the official residence of the Lords of Mantua, initially the Bonacolsi, and later the main residence of the Gonzaga, who were lords, marquesses, and eventually dukes of the Virgilian city. It housed the reigning Gonzaga, his wife, their legitimate firstborn son, other legitimate children until adulthood, and notable guests. It was designated the Royal Palace during the Austrian domination starting from the reign of Maria Theresa.
Each duke sought to add a wing for themselves and their art collections, resulting in an area exceeding 35,000 m², making it one of Europe's largest palaces after the palaces of the Vatican, the Louvre Palace, the Palace of Versailles, the Royal Palace of Caserta, the Royal Palace of Venaria, Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Fontainebleau, the Winter Palace, or the Royal Palace of Stockholm. It comprises over 500 rooms and encompasses 7 gardens and 8 courtyards.