A unique opportunity to visit these beautiful, art-filled places with two lecturers: Sarah Dunant and Marie-Anne Mancio.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, Mantua and Ferrara were among the most sophisticated of small renaissance states. The ruling families (the Este in Ferrara and the Gonzaga in Mantua) were passionate about art and culture: painting, architecture, music, even theatre and the beginnings of opera. While many of the greatest treasures they collected were later sold off to avoid bankruptcy or pilfered by invaders, what remains are some extraordinary palaces, castles and churches with works by some of the finest painters of the time: Pisanello, Mantegna, Cosimo di Turo and Giulio Romano to name but a few.
They were also home to two of the period’s most colourful women co-rulers (and rival sisters-in-law), Isabella d’Este and the infamous, though much maligned, Lucrezia Borgia. Their parallel life stories would make for jaw dropping historical drama - except of course that any film or tv series would run roughshod over the historical truth.
Co lecturer, historian and novelist, Sarah Dunant, has researched and written about both women, latterly in her novel 'The Marchesa' (2025) about Isabella d'Este.
See the 'Further Info' for a detailed itinerary.
The Riches of Renaissance Mantua, Ferrara, and Modena with Sarah Dunant
Tuesday 24th March 2026 - Friday 27th March inclusive (4 days)
(Arrive on or by Monday 23rd March 2026)
You can fly direct to Bologna airport from London and then take a train to Ferrara.
Mon 23rd March : night in Ferrara
Tue 24th March: check out of Ferrara, day in Ferrara, evening transfer to Mantua for the rest of the tour. We will finish in Mantua on Friday evening.
Travel between cities by train (not included).
Ferrara [1 day] This beautiful little walled town remains a renaissance wonder. Small enough to walk – or bicycle - around, it still boasts a medieval quarter as well as one of the earliest examples of town planning renaissance style, carried out in the 1490’s by Duke Ercole. Along with the Palazzo Diamante, now a rich art museum, there is also a 12th/ 13 th century cathedral, a 15 th century fortress which dominates the city centre, its nearby ducal palace, and the renowned Palazzo Schifanoia, with its precious 1460’s frescoed salon.
Mantua [2 days] Like Ferrara, this gem of a city was once entirely surrounded by water, and is still a stunning place to visit as you arrive, by train or car across the one connecting bridge. For centuries the home of the Gonzaga family, whose court painter for some forty plus years Andrea Mantegna. While many of his greatest works were sold off or looted by invaders (His ‘Triumphs of War’ are in Hampton Court and many others now in the Louvre) what remains is his astonishing Camera degli Sposi, with its early trompe l’oiel cupola and arresting images of court life, and the horses and hounds that were the Gonzaga passion. The castle and ducal palace were for forty years the home of Isabella Este, the first and greatest female art patron and collector of her time. Clever, determined – often downright bolshy, she amassed an extraordinary collection which she housed in her rooms (which can still be visited today) and her famous “studiolo” - the first woman to have such a room of her own.
Finally, there is the Palazzo Te. Designed and built by the early mannerist architect and painter Giulio Romano. In his youth, he was one of art history’s bad boys, a prodigy of Raphael he got himself thrown out of Rome for a set of pornographic prints which he drew and then had engraved: sixteen images of men and women copulating in all manner of positions. (The story of it features in Sarah’s novel “In the company of the Courtesan”).
Modena [1 day] Modena’s 12th century duomo, gothic bell tower and Piazza Grande are a UNESCO World Heritage site and museums here are a testimony to the Este family’s patronage. Highlights include works by Bernini, Velázquez [Portrait of Francesco I d’Este, pictured], Correggio, Guercino, El Greco, Guido Reni, Cosmè Tura, Dosso Dossi, Mantegna and Carpaccio.
[Note: the exact order of the days will be decided nearer the time.]
