By Dalila Calisolo —
Patrimonio dell’umanità per l’Unesco, Mantova won the title of Italian capital of culture 2016. The announcement has come to the city and its directors by the Minister of cultural heritage and tourism, Dario Franceschini in late October 2015.
Mantova beat rival 9 excellent (about 24 sets) as Aquileia, Como, Ercolano (la favorita), Parma, Pisa, Pistoia, Spoleto, Taranto and Terni. Among the finalists, though, on 25 January, will announce the capital of 2017, then go to the regime, year after year, by 2018.
The Lombard city is small and on a human scale, but a beauty that exudes charm and history from every stone. Even if they feel the influence upon arrival, when seen from a distance the silhouette standing out on the water. There are three ponds, not of natural origin, obtained in the bend of the river Mincio they give a very special feature in Mantua that to some seems almost magical.
In 1984 was established on Mincio Park that the municipality of Mantua.
The first inhabitants of Mantua were the The Etruscans, to which followed the Celts. The Romans provided to their expulsion starting fortifications. During this period was the birthplace of the poet Virgil (70 BC -19 BC). At the end of the Roman Empire, in approximately 475, the city was conquered by Odoacer and then by Theodoric, King of the Goths.
In the year 1000 began on Mantua the Dominion of Canossa: Tedald of Canossa before and the Countess Matilde expanded their property and provided to the building of churches and convents. After the death of Matilda in 1115 followed frequent clashes with neighbouring populations veronesi, levers and Radford. Ezzelino da Romano in 1246 conquered the city with his army but after two months of battles was defeated and began to Mantua an era of well-being. At this time were built the Podesta's Palace and the bridge of the mills and the town was endowed with strong walls.
In 1276 began the ascent of one of the most powerful families of the time, the Bonacolsi, who built important buildings battlements. On 16 August 1328 was mortally wounded the last Bonacolsi, Rinaldo said “Passerino” by Aloysius Gonzaga, abetted by the Della Scala family in Verona, which aspired to take possession of the city.
Thus began the centuries-long domination of the the Gonzaga family, which ruled Mantua until 1707. It was the most important period of Mantua, which became one of the most prominent city and one of the most important art centres in Europe. Pisanello, Leon Battista Alberti, Andrea Mantegna, Giulio Romano and Luca Fancelli they left an indelible mark in the architecture of the city.
Mantua underwent a succession war and plundered by the landsknechts, who spread the plague in 1630. Began the slow decline of Mantua, accompanied by the sunset of the lordship of Gonzaga, in 1707, left the city in the hands of the Austrians. He followed the French domination and Austrian again in 1815, when Mantua became the cornerstone of the quadrangle, along with Peschiera, Verona and Legnago.
In 1852 was the massacre of the Belfiore martyrs, which anticipated the national unity. In 1866 Mantua joined Italian State.
Numerous buildings and monuments that ornate and unique city. We remember the most significant.
Saint Peter's Cathedral (Duomo)
Dedicated to Saint Peter, the current Romanesque cathedral with Gothic additions, was constructed between 1395 and the 1401 after a fire, centuries before, had destroyed a previous Paleochristian Temple. It was reconstructed in 1545 by Giulio Romanothat left intact the facade but modified the shapes, inspired by early Christian basilicas. The current façade, in Carrara marble, dates from 1761. The side has Gothic inserts as rosettes, cusps and pinnacles, remnants of the old façade. Inside you can admire the coffered ceiling above the aisles: the main one is adorned with statues of sibyls and prophets dating back to the 16th century. Beneath the high altar houses the incorrupt body of Saint Anselmo da Baggio patron of the city. The Cathedral, located in the monumental piazza Sordello, is the episcopal see of Mantua.
Basilica di Sant'Andrea 
Designed by Leon Battista Alberti, was built starting in 1472 and 328 years later ended with the construction of the dome designed by Filippo Juvarra.
In the crypt is kept within the sacred vessels the relic of the precious blood of Christ brought to Mantua by the Roman centurion Longinus. In one of the chapels houses the tomb of Andrea Mantegna, dominated by the bronze effigy of the painter of the Gonzaga Court.
Palazzo Ducale
It is perhaps more correct to talk about City-Palacebecause the architectural complex consists of several buildings connected by corridors and tunnels, and enriched by patios, some cabinets, and extensive gardens. 
La reggia dei Gonzagaby extension of the roofs, is the second largest in Europe exceeded only by the Vatican. Does not appear improper designate Gonzaga Palace as the Ducal palaces, given the habit of almost every Duke to build a home that was aggregating than previously built. Even before the rise to power of the Gonzaga Palace had been built first, but the history of the complex is identified especially with the family who ruled the city until 1707. Among others, the famous is the so-called Bridal chamber (Camera picta) in the castle of San Giorgio, part of “City-Palace”Chapel frescoed by Andrea Mantegna and dedicated to Ludovico III Gonzaga and his wife Barbara of Brandenburg. Become Mantua Austrian, restructuring continued until the second half of the 18th century by the Governors sent by the emperor.
Palazzo Te
Is the work of Giulio Romano in 1525 he devised commissioned by the marchese Federico II Gonzaga who used it for his entertainment. There dwell the lover “officer” Isabella Boschetti. 
The “Palace of deceit transparencies” stood in the middle of a densely wooded island surrounded by the waters of a Lake, now drained: mysterious, full of symbols and myths that beautifully frescoed halls stand out even from the same Giulio Romano, as the famous Sala dei giganti and that of Cupid and psyche and, last but not least, the sala dei cavalli celebrating the stables Gonzaga at that time famous all over Europe.
Palace of San Sebastiano, Palazzo della Ragione, Palazzo Bonacolsi, Palazzo del Podestà and many other buildings and monuments of high historical and artistic value complementing the priceless heritage of the city of Mantua, a place of unique charm and definitely to go and learn.
SOURCE WIKIPEDIA, ANSA.it