San Maurizio, Baroque church in central Mantua, Italy

San Maurizio is a baroque church located in central Mantua, featuring a domed structure with classical proportions and carefully arranged interior spaces. Multiple chapels within the building display religious artworks spanning different artistic periods and styles.

The Theatines commissioned Antonio Maria Viani, prefect of the Gonzaga ducal buildings, to design the church; work began in 1609 and it opened in 1616. The façade and dome were finished between 1726 and 1731, probably under Giovanni Maria Borsotto. From 1808 to 1814 it served as a military parish titled San Napoleone, then passed to the parish of San Barnaba. Damaged in the Second World War, it closed in 1957 and reopened for worship in 2007 only on the feast of Virgo Fidelis.

The name changed with politics: consecrated in 1616 as Santi Maurizio e Margherita, it was renamed San Napoleone from 1808 to 1814 under French occupation, then kept only San Maurizio after the Austrian return. Since 2007 it opens for worship on the day of Virgo Fidelis, and on certain days for viewing the paintings.

Closed for worship from 1957 after World War II bomb damage, San Maurizio reopened in 2007 but only on the feast of the Virgo Fidelis, patroness of the Carabinieri; the former convent next door now houses their provincial command. On certain days it also opens for viewing the paintings. Check locally before setting out.

The first chapel on the left holds the stone slab that covered the tomb of Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, the condottiero who died in Mantua in 1526. The tomb of Giulio Romano was lost during rebuilding work in past centuries.