A Corte Posta Bed and Breakfast

Palazzo Dell Ragione & Torre Dell'Orologio

by deecat

While in Mantova (Mantua), we went into the Torre Dell'Orologio (Clock Tower) which was built in 1473. The large clock at the center was originally built by the mathematician Bartolomeo Manfredi who was known as Bartolomeo dell'Orologio..thus the name).

The clock has a mechanism that marked the months and the positions of the stars as well as the hours. Today's clock is a 19th-century restoration.

In the tower today is an exhibition room for art. We saw "StageHand". The pictures below show some of that art.

The tower is a great place for an art show because of the lighting.

Palazzo Della Ragione is also known as Palazzo Nuovo and was built in 1250. There are three-light windows, a great salone with 13th-century frescoes of "Prophets" and the "Last Judgement" by a painter from Parma. The architure of this building is lovely.

Torre dell'Orologio - Clock Tower

by barrikello

Erected in 1473. Its huge clock was created by the mathematician Bartolomeo Manfredi and originally indicated not only the time but also the months and astronomic positions.
Below the clock there's the statue of the 'Madonna Immacolata' (Virgin Mary) dating back to the seventeenth century.

Basilica di Santa Barbara

by croisbeauty

The complex of the Palatine Basilica of Santa Brbara was built in the 16th century, to serve as the palatine church where services were to be held for court ceremonies involving personages of high rank.
Entrance is through an elegant pronaos (porch) with three arches and pilaster strips. On the left side, detached, but incorporated in the portico is the bell tower with the sort of round aedicule at the top. Inside the church there are catafalques for the funerals of the Dukes.

Mantova

by Flamegirl

Mantova is a pleasant little city surrounded by lakes, although in the summer it can get sweltering hot and plagued by mosquitoes. The old city can be seen in a day, but it's worth taking longer if you want to do justice to the museums.

This photo is of an old church, the 11th century Rotonda di S.Lorenzo, and clocktower of the Palazzo della Ragione.

For a site (in italian!) with lots of photos of Mantova, see www.bananiele.it/lombardia/lomb140.htm

"cathedral and Palazzo Ducale"

The cathedral is a bizarre mix of styles which you can't see so clearly from this angle - but go round the side!

The Palazzo Ducale is interesting and worth visiting if you like paintings... there's even a charming rooftop garden.