Mantova, Italy
On 20-23 June I was invited to Mantova (Mantua), Italy, to speak at an
Ethics Expo organized in part by local Baha'is. The lectures and artistic
activities took place at different locations throughout the ancient town of
Mantova in the Po Valley of Lombardy that dates back at least to Etruscan
(pre-Roman) times. While waiting to give my closing lecture on "Ethics for a
Sustainable Economy" (see presentation and video recordings with Italian
translation), some very kind local Baha'is took me on a walking tour of the
historic centre of the town, and the next day I was treated to a boat tour
on the lakes surrounding the town.
The old centre of Mantova
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The Piazza Erbe in the centre of town has the Basilica Sant'Andrea
(begun 1472) on one side and the Clock Tower and Rotonda de S. Lorenzo
(1083) on the other
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Basilica Sant'Andrea with 18th century dome
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Clock Tower with astrological clock; Casa del Mercante (1455);
interior of Rotonda de S. Lorenzo (1083)
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Piazza Sordello, with Palazzo Ducale (Gonzaga's residence); 13th
century Duomo (cathedral); Palazzo Bianchi (Bishop's residence) and
Palazzo Bonacolsi
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Palazzo Ducale and its gardens
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Church of Santa Barbara in the Palazzo Ducale, and its bell tower
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Inner courtyard of the 500 room Palazzo Ducale; painted ceilings
under the arches; passage way through the Palazzo
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Castello di San Giorgio (1395-1400), part of the Gonzaga's Palazzo
Ducale
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Castello di San Giorgio; lakeside facades of the Palazzo Ducale
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Lakeside of Palazzo Ducale
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River connecting the upper and lower lakes through the town; Piazza
Martiti di Belfiore, showng old town level
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A main shopping street; courtyard of my hotel; gate to a park next to
the hotel
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My hotel; views of Mantova
Boat trip on the middle and lower lake and Mincio River
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Departure near the castle; Lago di Mezzo (middle lake); paper factory
across the lake (architecturally famous)
Mantova skyline from the Lago di Mezzo
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Basilica dome and castle from the lake
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Castle and Mantova from the lake
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Bridge separating Lago di Mezzo and Lago Inferiore: Porto Catena (old
city port): old lock between lower lake and Mincio RIver
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Water lilies in Mincio River nature reserve: village where poet
Virgil was born
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Industries along the river; flood gates to protect Mantova from surge
up the Po River; side canal
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Vegetation along the riverside; the Mincio RIver heading towards the
Po River. The nature reserve is famous for bird life
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Lotus introduced to the
river does well
A heron hunting