Palazzo Te
Giulio Romano's Mannerist suburban palace built for Federico II Gonzaga, with overwhelming frescoes in the Hall of the Giants.
Palazzo Te was built between 1524 and 1534. It is the masterpiece of Giulio Romano, a pupil of Raphael, and served as a leisure palace for the Gonzaga dukes. Its most famous feature is the Hall of the Giants, where the walls and ceiling merge into one scene of Jupiter striking down the giants with thunderbolts; standing inside, you feel as if the building is collapsing around you. The Room of Cupid and Psyche is brilliantly colourful, and the Horse Room depicts the duke's favourite horses. It is located at the southern edge of the old town, about a 15-minute walk away. Admission is about €15. On Mondays it opens only in the afternoon.
Opening hours
Mon 13:00–18:30; Tue–Sun 09:00–18:30
Nearby sights
- Palazzo San Sebastiano
- Casa del Mantegna
- Rotonda di San Lorenzo
- Piazza delle Erbe & Torre dell'Orologio
- Basilica of Sant'Andrea
- Palazzo d'Arco
- Teatro Bibiena (Teatro Scientifico)
- Piazza Sordello