Visiting Brescia and Mantua

Approaching Mantova in the car.

Northern Italy broke up into small city states in medieval times and many modern cities today derive from these former city states. Whilst spending a few days in an agreeable campsite on the shore of Lake Iseo we took the opportunity to call in to see some of these cities.

Marilena and Luisella pose in Mantua.

We went to mass at Brescia Cathedral on Sunday morning, a stunning building set in the historic centre of town; more than matching the less than stunning parking ticket we found stuck to the van's windscreen when we returned later. Futurist architecture (favoured by Mussolini's fascist party) was much in evidence around the city centre; very modern and strong-looking.

Mantua on the other hand was very different indeed. Many of its best buildings are grouped together in the old centre of town around a couple of delightful squares. The architecture is more delicate here; one could easily imagine that one has stepped on to the stage of a Shakespeare play! We loved it! And to celebrate we had a couple of delicately-flavoured Italian ice-creams. Mmm.