Mantova, history and typical food products

The city is a center of cultural and tourist attraction, of national and international fame, for its remarkable monumental beauties, the organization of major events, as well as for its famous typical gastronomic products.
 

The history of Mantova probably 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 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 took place, according to some legends, thanks to Bianore, son of the Tiber, and the nymph Mantuo or, according to other sources, by Aucno, son of Mantuo and Etruscan hero, who named the city after his mother. 
 

From the III to the VIII century, Mantova was also subject to barbarian invasions until it was conquered by the Lombards and later came under the territories of Matilda of Canossa. After the death of the Great Countess in 1115, it became a free commune, but the numerous struggles between families weakened the city. This was followed by the rule of the Bonacolsi, 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. 
 

Mantova during the Gonzaga period became a cultural hub, first with Ludovico II, who commissioned monuments from the quintessential Renaissance man: 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 Seventeenth and Eighteenth centuries, there were some disorders in the city, with the looting by imperial troops and dynastic problems. Thus, the famous and exquisite 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 reunited with the Habsburg Empire. In 1866, it was occupied by the Piedmontese troops and became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

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