Dam C.
Google
My main reason for visiting Mantua was chiefly because Giuseppe Sarto was bishop here (1884-1893) before becoming Pope St Pius X, in 1903. Alas, I was disappointed, since his cathedral church only has a very simple altar in his honour. Never the less, the Cathedral is still worth visiting. The current building is of the 11th century (built after the previous building burnt down and excavations show that this was a Christian religious site dating back to the early christians). The numerous modifications it has undergone take away any preset stylistic unity. Very much a mixed bag of Baroque, Romanesque and Gothic. However it is still an imposing building with an enormous amount of frescos. You could spend hours just examining them all. Several members of the Gonzaga family are buried here. Other historical artefacts can be found, with a 4th century sarcophagus being the oldest. The Blessed Sacrament chapel (to the left of the main altar) is also very beautiful and very peaceful.
