basilica di sant'andrea di mantova

This is a beautiful place filled with light and felt warm inside when it was cold outside. Appeared to be very well looked after.

Don't miss this : a jewel of Italian sacred art, with paintings in every chapel and frescoes everywhere. A crypt can be visited if you find the guide : an extraordinary retired man, who (he says) has never been a teacher or an art specialist but can charm you for hours and hours sharing all that he knows about Mantova with you (and he knows a lot !). It is free, but you can leave a free offer : I think he really deserves it.To lighten up the lateral chappels, you can put a little coin...it lasts enough to take good pictures.Entry is free. Visit can take less than one hour with no guide, but if you find the guide he can talk for one hour more (I suggest you to stay!).

I spent a very fascinating Sunday in Mantova of which the Basilica was just a small part. While in the church do not fail to look up. Plan on being in the city many hours if you want to experience it.

Most tourists who visit Sant'Andrea stop briefly to visit Mantegna's tomb, located in the first chapel to the left just inside the entrance, then head back outside to visit other, better-known sights. A pity, as the basilica's interior is one of the most beautiful in Italy, if not all Europe. Most magnificent are the sgrafitto paintings on the walls and pillars, which give the impression of being three dimensional. One stands in awe of the anonymous craftsmen who so meticulously worked out the illusion of depth -- without once repeating a single design. Of all Mantua's hidden treasures, the Basilica di Sant'Andrea may be the most rewarding.

Beautiful major church. Home of the Precious Blood. Even if you are not a believer, the story is interesting.

No doubt, the Saint Andrea basilica is the top attraction of the city, it is located in the heart of the old town, I unfortunately when I visited the façade was completely covered in scaffolding and I could admire its splendor outside. When I entered, however, I realized the magnificence of this cathedral, in a few words a sort of huge art museum. I was impressed and fascinated by the immensity, so huge! Fantastic as frescoes and beautiful mosaics that day the cathedral was full of tourists who admired this artistic place. Not to be missed.

A most beautiful Basilica - the Paintings and walls of this church are not to be missed. While one thinks that the walls are clad in marble on close inspection they are not - it is paint that looks like marble, and what a truly impressive sight!Be aware that the Basilica closes at noon for some 3 hours, so time your tour there as otherwise you will be disappointed.

this basilica influence design of many churches to follow.Alberti unfortunately died before constraction started and cupola is by Juvara.Great maestro Mantegna is buried there,his own cappella .do not miss it .

If you are in Mantua, this is the one place you really should not miss. Impressive and unique architecture.

The Basilica di sant Andrea is truly spectacular. Words cannot describe it.There is nothing to dislike here.

Impressive and stylish: designed by Alberti. Lots of painted trompe l'oeil relief with some real relief to keep you guessing! The massive space uninterrupted by columns makes you gasp as you enter (I emitted an invioluntary "Wow!" and then realised there was a Mass on! But it's huge: probably no-one was near enough to hear me!). No art by famous artists, except in Mantegna's little funerary chapel, but the whole conception is awe-inspiring and the decoration is beautiful. Near the top of my favourite churches.

This is definitely not the largest Basilica, but if you have time it's worth the stop. Charming and welcoming.

magnificent church with a dome designed by Filippo Juvarra!you have to be a little patient in this period, the monument is undergoing a thorough restoration especially around the altar and the dome so it is noisy. but you can anyway peep through the plastic sheets and enjoy the bright lively colours of the dome.it will probably be amazing in a few months. worth anyway!!!

This Basilica is to be visited, for it's history and architecture, an advice please take a scarf as it is very humid inside, and at the first look it is a little dark, here is a bit of a story of this place, The Basilica of Sant'Andrea is a Roman Catholic co-cathedral and minor basilica in Mantua, Lombardy (Italy). It is one of the major works of 15th century , situated in the heart of Mantua, In this church you can visit the sacred vases, to get more info ple ase read on the web site, http://www.liberatiarts.com/chiese/sacrivasi_eng.htm ,Longino the Isaurian (coming from Isauria in Turkey) was the Roman soldier who pierced with a lance the chest of Jesus, dying on the Cross. From his wound spouted blood mixed with water and some drops reached the damaged eyes of Longino which were miraculously healed. This miracle converted the soldier, and he took some earth sodden with the Blood of Jesus. He kept it in a little box with him on his wanderings until he came to Mantua. The back yard of this church is not to be missed , The Basilica of Sant'Andrea is a Roman Catholic co-cathedral and minor basilica in Mantua, Lombardy (Italy). It is one of the major works of 15th century Renaissance architecture in Northern Italy. Commissioned by Ludovico III Gonzaga, the church was begun in 1462 according to designs by Leon Battista Alberti on a site occupied by a Benedictine monastery, of which the bell tower (1414) remains. The building, however, was finished only 328 years later. Though later changes and expansions altered Alberti's design, the church is still considered to be one of Alberti's most complete works. It looms over the Piazza Mantegna.After visiting St. Andrew's , you can enjoy Many other antique buildings around, just across the road you will see one of the oldest shop buidings .if you dont want to spend money in the restaurents , there are many bread shops (panificio) where you can buy pizzas and baked delicasies, there is a super market open also during lunch hours just near the Sociale Theatre, you can rest for a while in a park and enjoy your lunch in the bag. then go for a nice ice cream ( there is a good one just in the Piazza Erbe, you get nice Gelato and granitas too).you will find the Public toilets in the city centre just across the circle tower, entering under the arch., next to st. Andrews basilica.The entrance to Mantova is beautiful, you will see the skyline of ancient towers, turrets, cupolas and domes. Italian friends tell me that Mantua is known as La Bella Addormentata, a sleeping beauty that hasn't changed since the middle ages.Go for a ferry ride on the lakes of mantua, from April to July you can also admire the lotus grove, do not forget to go around and taste some tortellini, agnoli, and the specialities with pumkin,our salamelle, sausages, fried gnocco with variety of raw ham, are delicious, a taste of lambrusco, for the sweet tooth a piece of Sbrizolona cake.you will need a good tourist attraction map, spend 2 days or more, you can visit our palaces,museums, gardens and visit the countryside too. go for a bicycle ride from mantua to Peschiera.Just last week the museum finaly started exhibiting the amanti di Valdaro - lovers of valdaro the human skeletons dating 6000 years back.Dont miss the Thursday Mercato ( market place) in the city, one of the biggest markets in europe from about 8.30 a.m to 12.30 to 1p.m, you will find many articles from clothing, shoes, household items, branded items, handicrafts ect.... come to mantua and have fun!!!!remember Mantua is a quiet city, it is peaceful, if you need more night attractions then you may have to visit a nearby city like Verona.

If your fortunate enough to hire a car.we highly recommend mantova.the sights are amazing.we visited the palace of a hundred rooms.wow! The small round church with its balcony were the women sat as both sexes were not allowed to pray together.the two other churches will blow you away too.remember to cover up before you enter them.the ice-cream is the best and the people very friendly.We also recommend Molvina.wear strong footwear to explore the waterfalls.we were unable to as we did not.had a great wine tasting session at the local wine shop.highly recommended!!!Oh and free parking outside the towns walls.