M, M, M and G

Medieval, Mantova, Mantegna and the Gonzagas.. This city is truly worth a visit.  The history of the place resonates everywhere you look.  The very powerful Gonzaga Family took control in the 14th Century and their mansion house - the Ducal Palace is totally overwhelming.  Room after room of highly decorated vaulted ceilings with frescoes, some by Mantegna, paintings and tapestries.  Not to mention their private collection of antiquities.

And the Bibiena Academic Theatre where Mozart played when he was just 14, designed by the La Scala architect

Mmmm  I wonder what that man is doing??

Me and Mozart.

We also went to Palazzo Te, an amazing Palace built in the first quarter of the 16th Century and took 10 years to complete for Federico 11 Gonzaga.  Spectacular frescoes and curved vaulted ceilings, so much to take in.  

No wonder Italy has been attracting writers, painters, artists of all kinds and of course tourists and travellers for centuries. 

Other things I love about Italy - very few 4 wheel drive Toorak Tractors, no 4 wheel drive prams that I've seen, people speak to each other in real time, not on their mobiles, the clothing everyone wears is so casually fashionable and unself conscious and that goes for all - oldies, youngies, men and women alike. Loving it all. After tomorrow - Yoga Retreat. P.s I have done some classes!!  But serious stuff for the next week. Hope our GPS can get us there!!