Mantua

While in Venice for some research I took a day trip to Mantua.
 

Sant'Andrea by Alberti, unfortunately partially covered in scaffolding. The church is the first truly monumental and classicizing structure of the 15th century. The facade resembles a triumphal arch, which Alberti knew from Rome.


Inside Sant'Andrea. This is the largest barrel vault since antiquity.


It's huge inside. Of course St Peter's in Rome is much larger, but that church is so filled with light whereas this one seems much more cavernous.




The medieval Palazzo Ducale, inside of which are two celestial ceilings.


The mannerist Cortile della Mostra inside the Palazzo Ducale. Giulio Romano twists his Doric columns to exude energy.


So so awesome.


One of the celestial ceilings.



The fabulous Palazzo del Te by Giulio Romano. Just outside the city proper, the palace was designed for the duke as a pleasure retreat for his mistresses and to house his many horses.




The interior courtyard is arguably the best example of architectural mannerism, and definitely the most impressive.