Mantua, the city of the Gonzagas, is a small pearl that seems to float on the waters of the Mincio and over the centuries has conquered poets and writers such as Virgil, Torquato Tasso and Charles Dickens.

The city is still surrounded by the Renaissance charm of its buildings and palaces which, together with the lush surrounding countryside, provide the perfect setting for a fairytale wedding suspended in time. The lakeside promenade is one of the most characteristic and evocative places in the city, the scene of Shakespeare's opera "Romeo and Juliet" and the ideal place to take breathtaking photos that will immortalise those unique moments of your romantic wedding in Mantua.

Romantic wedding in Mantova: on the shores of the lake or among the alleyways of the city?

Even today, the city of Mantova - which seems to be suspended between the earth and the sky - evokes intense emotions. The urban splendour of the Renaissance and the surrounding landscape of reeds and willows on the banks of the lakes offer an ideal setting for weddings, symbolic ceremonies, and anniversaries.

Over the centuries Mantua has been an important religious centre, as evidenced by the many beautiful convents, monasteries, and churches in the area.
The city's oldest and most fascinating churches include the Rotonda di San Lorenzo in Piazza Erbe and the church of San Pietro in the heart of Mantua, which is also the city's cathedral and whose construction dates back to the Middle Ages. And then there is the opulent and imposing Basilica of St Andrew, which houses the greatest relic in the Christian world: the Sacred Vases containing the blood of Jesus. 

Say your "I do!" surrounded by Mantova's nature, culture, history, and culinary delights

The ideal location for a reception should make you dream and evoke an emotional response in your guests, in a setting of frescoed halls in winter and lush gardens in summer. Alternatively, farmhouses and relais can be an exclusive choice if you want a wedding in the quiet of the countryside or in the hills.

If, on the other hand, you are dreaming of a classic ceremony, the Municipality of Mantua offers four municipal halls: the Demographic Offices, the Council Chamber, the Coat of Arms Room, and Palazzo Valenti Gonzaga.
In addition, Palazzo Te has also been added to the places where weddings can be celebrated in the city. One of the most famous masterpieces of the architect Giulio Romano, it offers the bride and groom a choice between the Hall of Horses, the Room of Cupid and Psyche, and the Loggia of David. This location will enchant your guests with its magnificent paintings, settings, and fairytale gardens. In addition, Mantua was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and was named Italian Capital of Culture for the year 2016, as well as European Capital of Gastronomy for the year 2017.

A truly surprising food and wine destination that offers the famous pumpkin tortelli, agnolini in broth, pike in sauce, donkey stew, fried gnocco, and Mantuan salami as well as many other culinary gems such as minestra bevr'in vin and panàda (a dish made with stale bread, Grana cheese and oil). Mantua's cuisine is in fact the perfect combination of popular tradition and the customs of the Gonzaga family; in this cuisine, earthy ingredients and meat dishes prevail.
The wedding day menu will include the famous Grana Padano cheese as well as pork, the undisputed star of local tables, and will conclude with a dreamy dessert table featuring the typical and famous Sbrisolona.

But that's not all: if you want to give your guests a truly unique experience on the day after the wedding, you can organise a trip to discover the Mantua Wine and Food Trail. These tasteful itineraries are designed to showcase the culture of the area and promote typical food and wine products. Mantua is also part of the project thanks to the production and cultivation of DOC Garda Colli Mantovani and DOC Lambrusco Mantovano. This area is so rich that it also joins the Mantuan Truffle Route and the Mantuan Rice and Risotto Route.