I visited Mantua two times already, first, as a stop during the trip from the Garda Lake in direction to Tuscany and Umbria. My first impression from historical town located between lakes of river Mincio was quite good but not exceptional. I returned to Mantua this year, and the reason was to visit S Andrea church and Palazzo Te. I skipped Palazzo Ducale even this time because it looked too vast and expansive to me…

S Andrea is really a masterpiece, quality of which can be recognized mostly in the interior. The entire building documents how architects tried to find a way from Middle Ages towards modern times… The main façade (PHOTO) looks a bit odd demonstrating that it is a experiment of the architect to find a balance between exterior and interior. It proves that doing a progress from dark ages towards bright future was a difficult task... The interior is really stunning with colorful paintings and decorations, which are integrated into a consistent structure of highest qualities.

My next stop was Palazzo Te that is quite distant from the main squares between Palazzo Ducale and S Andrea, but it is definitely worth a detour. From outside it looks quite strict and clean, but the interiors are incredibly decorated in a style of mannerism. I knew only imitations built by Italian architects in Czechia and central Europe, but I must say that Palazzao Te is a masterpiece.

I also did an attempt to visit Sabbioneta: I went by local train from Parma to Casalmaggiore, and wanted to go by local bus No. 18 from the train station. Since no buses came in scheduled times, locals did not give me any reasonable advice where to go, the place of Casalmaggiore looked not very appealing and weather was hot in the noon, so, I decided to return to Parma. Maybe next time…

Even though I missed Sabbioneta this time, I think that now I better understand OUV of this site.