May 1-4, 2014:
On this part of our trip to Northern Italy, we visited Mantova, Marmirolo, Cinque Terre, Pavia, and then returned back to Milan.
MANTOVA:
Mantua is a comune (municipality) in the Italian region of Lombardy, and capital of the province of the same name.
Palazzo Ducale:
Palace built between the 14th and the 17th century mainly by the noble family of Gonzaga as their royal residence in the capital of their Duchy.
Palazzo Ducale
Palazzo Te:
Palazzo del Te, or simply Palazzo Te, is a palace in the suburbs of Mantua, Italy. It is an example of the mannerist style of architecture, and the acknowledged masterpiece of Giulio Romano.
Palazzo Te
Basilica di Sant’Andrea:
The Basilica of Sant’Andrea is a Roman Catholic co-cathedral and minor basilica in Mantua, Lombardy. It is one of the major works of 15th-century Renaissance architecture in Northern Italy.
Basilica of Sant’Andrea
Self-Guided Walking Tour:
We started our walking tour at the Mincio River…
Mantova with the Mincio River
Castello di San Giorgio
Piazza Sordello
The sculpture of Rigoletto, by Aldo Falchi
Statue of San Silvestro in Belfiore square
MARMIROLO:
We stayed in the country outside Mantua in Marmirolo.
Our accommodation in the country
A farm and nature preserve was behind our accommodation.
Marmirolo Farm and Nature Preserve
CINQUE TERRE:
Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. In each of the 5 towns, colorful houses and vineyards cling to steep terraces, harbors are filled with fishing boats and trattorias turn out seafood specialties.
Riomaggiore:
Riomaggiore is the first of the Cinque Terre villages one encounters when travelling north from La Spezia.
Riomaggiore – Cinque Terre
Monterosso al Mare:
Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five coastal villages known as the Cinque Terre.
Monterosso al Mare – Cinque Terre
St. John Church and Oratory of the Dead – Monterosso al Mare:
St. John Church and Oratory of the Dead are located in the main square of Monterosso al Mare.
St. John Church
Oratory of the Dead
Vernazza:
The small fishing village Vernazza is probably the most characteristic of the Cinque Terre and is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Vernazza – Cinque Terre
Manarola:
Manarola, built on a high rock 70 metres above sea level, is one of the most charming and romantic of the Cinque Terre villages.
Manarola – Cinque Terre
Springtime in Cinque Terre:
There were beautiful flowers and streams in Cinque Terre…
Springtime – Cinque Terre
PAVIA:
Pavia is a university city south of Milan.
Castello di Torrechiara:
This castle is just south of Pavia…
Castello di Torrechiara
Certosa di Pavia:
This beautiful monastery is just north of Pavia…
Certosa di Pavia
Duomo di Pavia:
The most impressive church in Pavia to whose design Leonardo Da Vinci contributed.
Duomo di Pavia
Basilica of San Michele Maggiore:
The Basilica of San Michele Maggiore, dating to the 11-12th centuries, is a well-preserved example of the Lombard-Romanesque style.
Basilica of San Michele Maggiore
University of Pavia:
There was evidence of teaching here as early as 1361, making it one of the oldest universities in the world.
University of Pavia
Self-Guided Walking Tour:
Pavia is our last sight in Northern Italy before heading back to Milan.
Self-guided walking tour of Pavia
MILAN:
Hotel Ascot, Milan Airport:
Catching our last rays of Italian sun and a cold beer before heading home…
Hotel Ascot, Milan Airport