Mantua

 Apparently Aldous Huxley declared Mantua to be the most romantic city in the world. Don't know about that, but it is certainly attractive enough to be worth a visit. Its main sights are two ducal palaces - and very extensive ones at that. So unsurprisingly they were our (my) main targets.

But first, a church, Basilica di Sant'Andrea...                                ....

Then to the Palazzo Ducale. Unfortunately all the squares in Mantua were taken up by market stalls, meaning I couldn't get decent photos. And when I say market stalls, don't think wonderful colourful fruit and veg and amazing Italian hams. Think tatty second hand clothes.

Regrettably we had to queue for a bit to get in. Which it soon became apparent was rather bad luck. There was hardly anyone behind us. And by the time we left the palace complex, the squares were being cleared of stalls. Market day finished at lunchtime. We just timed our arrival badly!

The palace was once the largest in Europe, so it takes a while to get around.

Just about the first room we got directed to (and for which you paid extra at entrance) was the Camera Degli Sposi. The premium is to see the frescoes of Andrea Mantegna painted in the mid-fifteenth century.

This is the Sala di Troia, decorated with miscellaneous scenes rom the Trojan Wars

With the middle containing ancient sarcophagi.

As you can see, although we had queued to get in, the interiors were hardly overcrowded.

The Galleria di Mostra contains a collection of marble "Roman" busts, some Roman, some made up of Roman bits and tidied up in the Renaissance, some completely fabricated in the Renaissance. But all very impressive.

As I said, not overcrowded.

There is a natural history collection....

Of course there are internal courtyards in such a large complex

So back out into the main square, and as you can see, no longer a market stall in sight.

Next to the palace but with a separate entrance is the archaeological museum. I love a good archaeological museum. Unfortunately this is not one. I mean, fine displays in a nice new airy space. It would be great if it had much to display. But it doesn't.

Needless to say we had to visit the duomo...

The Palazzo Te is what one might describe as on the edge of town. Walking distance from the centre to be sure, but the area feels more like in parkland. This was a sixteenth century pleasure palace - what you could build if you have enormous wealth. There are no contents to speak of - this is all about interior design.