Mantova, history and typical food products

The city - we are in Lombardia, on the border with Veneto - is a cultural and tourist attraction, nationally and internationally renowned, for its remarkable monumental beauties, the organization of significant events, as well as for its famous typical gastronomic products.
 

The history of Mantova likely has Etruscan origins. A rich emporium of artifacts has been found near the city. The city then came under the rule of the Gauls and later, after the victory of Casteggio, under Roman domination. The poet Virgil, proud of his Mantuan origins, writes, in a mythological key, that the foundation of the city occurred, according to some legends, thanks to Bianore, son of the Tiber, and the nymph Mantuo or, according to other sources, through the work of Aucno, son of Mantuo and Etruscan hero, who named the city after his mother. 
 

From the 3rd to the 8th century, Mantova was also subject to barbarian invasions until it was conquered by the Lombards and later entered the territories of Matilda of Canossa. After the death of the Great Countess in 1115, it became a free municipality, but the numerous struggles between families weakened the city. The government of the Bonacolsi followed, who were the first lords of Mantova, later supplanted in 1328 by the Gonzagas. Thus began the long dynasty of these lords who became, thanks to imperial recognitions, first marquises and then dukes. 
 

Gonzaga Mantova became a cultural hub, first with Ludovico II, who commissioned monuments from the Renaissance man par excellence: Leon Battista Alberti (a man of great erudition as well as an architect), and then with Isabella d’Este who became the patron of the great personalities of Andrea Mantegna (painter - engraver) and Giulio Romano (painter - architect). 
 

Between the 17th and 18th centuries, there were some disorders in the city, with looting by imperial troops and dynastic problems. Thus, the famous and excellent works of art of the Gonzagas left the sumptuous palaces and were sold all over the world. Mantova became a fortress-city of Austria, was conquered by Napoleon, and then rejoined the Habsburg Empire. In 1866, it was occupied by Piedmontese troops and became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

A great story and a long culinary tradition, whose typical products along with all those of Lombardia can be purchased directly and conveniently from our site.