Palazzo del Te, Renaissance villa in Mantua, Italy
Palazzo del Te is a Renaissance manor on the outskirts of Mantua in Italy. The square layout contains painted halls, ornamental gardens, and a semicircular colonnade at the rear of the building.
Federico II Gonzaga commissioned Giulio Romano between 1524 and 1534 to build this suburban estate outside the city gates. The architect created a residence intended solely for entertainment and receptions.
The name comes from Tejeto island, where Gonzaga horses once grazed before the manor was built. Visitors today still see how the halls served for receptions and festivities, while wall paintings tell ancient stories.
The museum opens daily except December 25th, and guided tours show the painted rooms and artworks. The estate sits slightly outside the city center and can be reached easily on foot or by bicycle.
The estate has no bedrooms, as it served only for festivities and receptions, not as a permanent residence. The duke used the property exclusively during the day for entertainment and returned to the city at night.
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