Saint George Castle, Medieval castle in Mantua, Italy
Saint George Castle is a rectangular fortress at the northeastern edge of Mantua with four corner towers and three drawbridges, surrounded by a moat. It forms the northern section of the larger Ducal Palace and connects to it as part of one expansive palace complex.
Francesco I Gonzaga commissioned the fortress between 1395 and 1406 from architect Bartolino da Novara, building over the ruins of an older church. Later, his wife Isabella d'Este transformed this military structure into a center of Renaissance culture and ideas.
The Camera Picta in the northeast tower displays frescoes by Andrea Mantegna that bring the walls to life with clever optical tricks. The room shows how the Gonzaga family linked art and power together.
Access is through the larger Ducal Palace, to which it connects, so plan time for the whole complex when visiting. There are multiple levels and towers to explore, so comfortable shoes are a good idea.
The castle once served as a gathering place for art-loving patrons: Leonardo da Vinci, poet Ludovico Ariosto, and other noted artists were hosted here by Isabella d'Este. These visits turned it into a real hub for artistic exchange during the Renaissance.
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