Vintage Mantua

I Love Touring Italy – Small Town Lombardy

If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Depending on your interests, this beautiful area might be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. There are even some parts of Lombardy that are relatively undiscovered by tourists. This article presents Lombardy outside of its capital Milan or the beautiful Lake districts, which are described in companion articles in this series.

Over the millennia Lombardy has been in the hands of numerous invaders including the Etruscans and the Gauls, then the Romans, Franks, and Goths, and finally the French, Spaniards, and Austrians. Did we forget the Lombards? These invaders all left their mark, some more and some less. Keep local history in mind as you tour this impressive region.

We begin our tour at Pavia about twenty-five miles (forty kilometers) south of Milan. Then we proceed southeast to Cremona. We continue east to finish this short tour at Mantua near the Veneto border.

Once upon a time little Pavia (population about 70 thousand) was a major rival of nearby Milan (city population about 1.3 million and metropolitan population over 5 million.) Its defeat by the Barbarians in 476 commonly marks the end of the Western Roman Empire. Almost nine hundred years later the internationally known University of Pavia was founded, based on a law and divinity school established by the year 825. Count Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta was the most famous individual associated with this university. It was Volta who discovered methane gas and invented the electric battery. Whenever you think about volts and voltage, you should think about Pavia.

Arguably the most famous native of Pavia was Benedetto Cairoli, the 13th and 15th Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Italy. He was somewhat of a hero during Risorgimento (the fight for Italian independence) but had a relatively undistinguished career as Prime Minister with a single exception. Cairoli risked his life and was severely wounded when he successfully protected the unpopular King Umberto I from assassination early in his reign. Now let’s consider Pavia’s sights.

Pavia is home to many other churches worth seeing. The Lombard-Romanesque San Michele Maggiore Church was constructed on the site of a preexisting Lombard church. Initially destroyed a few years after the turn of the first millennium it was rebuilt during the Twelfth Century. The Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro (St. Peter in Golden Sky) actually originated in the beginning of the Seventh Century. Its name refers to gold leaf mosaics that formerly decorated parts of the ceiling. This basilica was featured in Bocaccio’s Decameron. You may also want to see the Thirteenth Century brick Santa Maria del Carmine Church and the Renaissance Santa Maria di Canepanova Church.

Head about five miles (eight kilometers) north of town to see Pavia’s number one attraction, the Fifteenth Century Certosa di Pavia (Charterhouse of Pavia) monastery. This complex, which took over a century to build, is considered an excellent expression of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. It includes a great collection of paintings and stained glass windows. The church was meant to house the tombs of its owners, the noble Visconti family but only one family member is actually buried there. His tomb took over sixty years to build. Nearby is the tomb of another Duke and his wife Beatrice d’Este, a real Renaissance woman and a beauty as well, who died in childbirth at age 22. You may have heard of her sister-in-law, Lucrezia Borgia.

The city of Cremona, population about seventy thousand, was first settled well over two thousand years ago. The famous Roman poet Virgil went to school there and owned a family farm in the vicinity. Another name is indelibly linked to this city, that of Antonio Stradivari, the world’s greatest violinmaker. His masterpieces are simply the world’s best-known and most expensive stringed instruments. As they say about yachts, if you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it. It’s not sour grapes, but frankly what would I do with a Stradivari violin, or mandolin? Perhaps trade it for vintage wine and Champagne.

The violin as we know it was invented in Cremona around 1564 by Andrea Amati who died more than sixty years before Stradivari was born. The Guarneri family created world famous violins here and elsewhere in Italy. Today more than 50 violinmakers hang their hat in Cremona. The Piazza Roma square near Stradivari’s house and workshop contains his tombstone and grave. The city includes the Scuola Internazionale di Liuteria (International School of Violin Making) and the Museo Stradivariano (Stradivarius Museum)

Our next and final stop is the city of Mantua whose population is slightly under fifty thousand. Mantua may have been founded about four thousand years ago. The great Roman poet Virgil was born in a nearby village. In the Twelfth Century Mantua adopted a novel means of protection against invasion, by constructing four artificial lakes surrounding the city. Three of them exist to this day; the fourth dried up during the Eighteenth Century. If you remember your Shakespeare, Romeo fled to Mantua after killing Juliet’s cousin in a swordfight. Talk about a family feud.

Mantua’s Palazzo Ducale was built between the Fourteenth and Seventeenth Centuries and boasts some 500 rooms. Its centerpiece is the Camera degli Sposi (The Wedding Chamber) room that took Andrea Mantegna about seven years to paint. When you see it, you’ll know why. Since you’re only allowed ten minutes to admire this marvelous, unique room you should familiarize yourself with the painting before your allotted time slot. Don’t forget to look up, the ceiling is beautiful.

Finish your tour at the suburban Palazzo Te built in the Sixteenth Century. Unlike many other historic Italian buildings this one was completed in only ten years. In fact its shell went up in eighteen months. In spite of its speedy construction it is considered one of the greatest Renaissance palaces. Don’t forget to tour the Camera di Amore e Psiche (Cupid and Psyche’s Room) showing a wedding with quite interesting and unusual guests and the Camera dei Giganti (Room of the Titans) in which Jupiter expels the Titans from Mount Olympus. The walls are peppered with Seventeenth Century graffiti. Please don’t add your own.

What about food? Of Italy’s twenty regions Lombardy trails only Emilia-Romagna in food production. A lot of the food is of foreign origin, not surprising given the frequency with which Lombardy fell under outside domination. But there are also local specialties. For example, Cremona is known for Mostarda, mustard flavored candied fruits that accompany Bollito Misto, mixed boiled meats. A local version of this treat calls for calf’s head, veal tongue, and pig’s foot among others. Cremona also claims to have invented ravioli.

Let’s suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Zuppa alla Pavese (Soup with Bread, Butter, Eggs, and grated Parmesan Cheese). Then try Bollito Misto (Mixed Boiled Meats). For dessert indulge yourself with Colombe Pasquale (dove shaped Easter Bread with Candied Fruit). Increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal.

We conclude with a quick look at Lombardy wine. Lombardy ranks 11th among the 20 Italian regions for both acreage devoted to wine grapes and for total annual wine production. The region produces about 62% red and rose and 38% white wine, but there is little rose. There are 15 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is absolutely no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. Over 47% of Lombardy wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. There are three DOCG wines: the sparkling Franciacorta said to compete with French Champagne and priced accordingly, the red Sforzato di Valtellina, and the red Valtellina Superiore.

Lambrusco Mantovano DOC is a red or rose dry or sweet fizzy wine produced southeast of Mantua from local grapes. The San Colombano al Lambro DOC is red or white still or fizzy wine made from a variety of local grapes found about halfway between Milan and Cremona. By far the area’s best-known wine is the Oltrepo Pavese DOC grown south of Pavia, across the Po River, hence its name. This wine, the favorite of Milan, is made in several styles from multiple grape varieties.

About the Author

Levi Reiss has authored alone or with a co-author ten computer and Internet books, but to tell the truth, he would really rather just drink fine French, German, or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He knows what dieting is, and is glad that for the time being he can eat and drink what he wants, in moderation. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his new wine, diet, health, and nutrition website www.wineinyourdiet.com and his global wine website www.theworldwidewine.com.

VINTAGE REVELL ALTHEARN MANTUA HO NH NEW HAVEN RED CABOOSE 561? no box $1.99

Vintage HO Metal Locomotive Lot by Marklin, Bachmann, & Mantua $25.39

HO MANTUA Lot of Ten (10) Vintage Freight Cars $11.50

HO VINTAGE MANTUA ROCK ISLAND FLAT CAR WITH TRACTOR BED $0.99

VINTAGE MANTUA TYCO HO SCALE SANTE FE LINE BLUE AND YELLOW TRAIN ENGINE $4.13

VINTAGE MANTUA TYCO HO SCALE SANTE FE SILVER ENGINE AND MEHANO PASSENGER CAR $3.94

HO VINTAGE MANTUA PENNSYLVANIA F3 DIESEL LOCO 9769 $0.99

HO VINTAGE MANTUA DAIRYMEN’S MILK WOODSIDE REEFER $0.99

HO VINTAGE MANTUA SANTA FE DIESEL LOCO 5628 $11.25

Vintage ho lot mantua cn f series #6536 diesel rare road #,cp rail switcher $9.99

Vintage Mantua Heavy Metal Electric Train Engine $12.99

Vintage Mantua Burlington 40′ boxcar metal base MWKD $5.49

Vintage / Antique Ho Scale Trains – VARNEY & MANTUA – Steam Train w/ tender $15.00

MANTUA 308-44 WESTERN AT DIXIE BELLE STEAM ENGINE & TENDER BOXED NICE VINTAGE $69.95

Vintage Mantua HO 0-6-0 Undecorated Steam Locomotive & Tender $15.50

Mantua – Vintage HO Scale Southern Pacific 4-6-0 Steam Locomotive $23.00

COLLECTIBLE LOT VINTAGE MODEL TRAINS 9 CARS TANK CABOOSE LOG MOR MANTUA BACHMAN $59.99

VINTAGE MAGAZINE MODEL RAILROADER AUGUST 1956 A HUDSON FROM MANTUA’S PACIFIC $2.50

VINTAGE 1946 TWO RAIL CIRCUITS & SWITCHES BY MANTUA $2.50

Lot of 10 vintage mixed HO scale train cars Mantua Tyco Life Like NYC Box N&W $19.99

HO Scale Vintage Mantua/Tyco HO Scale Santa Fe Maintenance Car # 932 $6.85

VINTAGE MANTUA HO TRAIN Western & Atlantic 1860 JAIL Car W&ARR Rolling Prison $9.99

HO Scale Mantua Vintage Green F3 Pennsylvania Diesel Locomotive #9769 $9.99

Mantua Lackawanna DL&W 0 4 0 Switcher Parts Restoration Die Cast Vintage $19.99

Vintage Mantua HO Scale 21′ ‘Little Trains’ Bobber Caboose exc!! $2.50

Vintage Mantua HO Scale Pennsylvania 40′ Gondola exc!! $2.50

6 Vintage Mantua Pennsylvania Passenger Lighted Cars $39.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA SANTA FE MOW WRECKING CRAIN AND TENDER FLAT $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA 2 SANTA FE FLAT CARS $4.99

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VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA U.S NAVY FLAT CAR $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA NEW YORK CENTRAL MOW CREW OR COMMISSARY CAR $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA PENNSYLVANIA CABIN CAR CABOOSE $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA BURLINGTON ROUTE COVERED GONDOLA $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA READING 2 BAY HOPPER W/CENTRAL VALLEY TRUCKS $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA C&O CHESAPEAKE & OHIO GONDOLA $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA NYC NEW YORK CENTRAL GONDOLA $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA N.O.T.&M. MISSOURI PACIFIC STOCK CAR $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA MKT THE KATY STOCK CAR $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA 2 ARMOUR ARLX REEFERS $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA SRLX SWIFT REEFER $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA DAIRYMEN’S LEAGUE REEFER $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA KAHN’S BRINE TANK REEFER $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA BORDEN’S FINE CHEESES BILLBOARD REEFER $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA CRAZY CRYSTALS WATER BILLBOARD REEFER $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA NORTH AMERICAN DISPATCH PLUTO WATER BILLBOARD REEFER $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA LOUSIVILLE & NASHVILLE L&N 40′ BOX CAR $6.88

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA C&O CHESAPEAKE & OHIO 40′ BOX CAR $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA EJ&E ELGIN JOLIET & EASTERN RR 40′ BOX CAR $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA WESTERN MARYLAND 40′ BOX CAR $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA PRR PENNSYLVANIA 40′ BOX CAR $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA WABASH 40′ BOX CAR $4.99

VINTAGE HO SCALE MANTUA MEC MAINE CENTRAL 40′ BOX CAR $4.99

Vintage Mantua Dairymens Billboard 40′ wood reefer w metal base MWKD $5.74

NEW! Mantua Wood Vintage UP 1860 Boxcar HO 721050 NIB $8.99

NEW! Mantua Wood Vintage Ma & Pa 1860 Boxcar HO 721303 NIB $8.99

NEW! Mantua Wood Vintage Hammond Co. 1860 Reefer HO 721322 NIB $8.99

NEW! Mantua Wood Vintage UP 1860 Horse HO 722003 NIB $8.99

NEW! Mantua Wood Vintage UP 1860 Water HO 723003 NIB $8.99

NEW! Mantua Wood Vintage D&RG 1860 Log HO 724008 NIB $8.99

NEW! Mantua Wood Vintage D&RG OT Caboose Long HO 725008 NIB $8.99

NEW! Mantua Wood Vintage SP 1860 Boxcar HO 721011 NIB $8.99

NEW! Mantua Wood Vintage W&A 1860 Boxcar HO 721044 NIB $8.99

Vintage MANTUA HO Train Engine 3992 Union Pacific Caboose, Car & Track Athearn $21.87

Vintage 1970’s Tyco Mantua HO Scale Union Pacigic X159 40′ Gondola ~ PCSTN $12.59

HO SCALE VINTAGE MANTUA 0-4-0 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE $15.95

Lot Of 13 Vintage Used Knives Schrade Old Timer, Mantua, Barlow, Imperial, ??? $15.00

4 Mantua /Tyco vintage steam locomotive kits, incomplete 4-4-0, 2- 0-6-0,2-6-2, $34.33

Vintage 1970s Tyco Mantua HO Scale 40′ Flat Car W/ 3 Tractors ~ PCSTN $17.99

HO 1:87 Vintage Mantua Tyco K208:1298 2-8-0 MIKADO LOCOMOTIVE & TENDER w/Box $13.37

HO VINTAGE ? F-7,F-9 ENGINES FOR RESTORE OR PARTS,BACHMAN,,MANTUA,REVELL ? $25.00

VINTAGE MANTUA 40′ GONDOLA – PRR #372401 $9.99

Mantua TYCO Vintage Train Set with Tracks, Engine, Caboose, Coach Cars $24.99

Mantua TYCO HO Penn Central #9451Diesel Locomotive Vintage $14.00

VTG MANTUA HO SCALE TEXACO SINGLE DOME TANK CAR TANKER TCX 9362 $6.99

Vintage HO Scale Mantua LOMARDA & LOMBARD LINE Steam Engine – No Reserve $9.99

Vintage HO Scale Steam Engine by Mantua and Tender Car W. & A.R.R. – No Reserve $11.99

Vintage Mantua Ho Train 314-22 With Working Headlight In Original Box $80.00

VINTAGE MANTUA 2-6-0 BRASS & DIECAST MOGIL STEAM LOCOMOTIVE & TENDER $44.99

VINTAGE MANTUA 99 2-6-2 PRAIRIE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE w/ PENNSYLVANIA PRR TENDER $19.99

VINTAGE Mantua Die Cast HO 5322 Pennsylvania Locomotive 4-6-2, Runs $1.50

Vintage La Couronne 1972 Mantua Italy Wood Boat Ship Model Kit MIB 1:100 #778 $299.99

HO Vintage Cast Metal Mantua R-T-R 2-8-2 Heavy MIKADO Undecorated $99.99

NEW IN BOX Vintage Mantua Endeavour Cooks Brigantine Wooden Model Kit #766 $24.99

Vintage Mantua TUSCAN HOWITZER CANNON 1746 Wood & Brass Kit Complete Unbuilt! $49.99

huge lot vintage tyco track Mantua Steam Engine Trains Accessories over 100pcs $99.99

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Mantua Brass Bobber Caboose C-2 MAR-GENE Vintage RARE $59.95

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Vintage Mantua Model Instructions Albatros Wood Ship NR $12.95

NEW! Mantua Wood Vintage PRR 1860 Log HO 724020 NIB $8.99

Vintage Mantua HO 0-4-0 Diecast Steam Locomotive & Tender Santa Fe 99 $19.99

HO Scale Vintage Mantua Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Co. (MKT) 40′ Boxcar $2.95

Vintage – Mantua – Kahn’s Sons Co, Kahn’s, BRINE TANK REFRIGERATOR #3794 $3.99

VINTAGE *MINT CONDITION* 1961 TYCO HO SCALE TRAIN MODEL RAILROAD CATALOG MANTUA $19.49

VINTAGE MINT CONDITION 1960’s? TYCO HO SCALE TRAIN MODEL RAILROAD CATALOG MANTUA $19.49

Vintage Mantua Reefer Boxcar Kahn’s Fixed Door Metal Base HO Scale Train Box Car $5.99

Mantua – Vintage 4 Wheel Bobber Caboose $10.99

Vintage HO Scale Mantua Penn Central Box Car $8.09

Vintage Distressed Mantua Darts Tri-Blend T-Shirt Go Vintage! Super Popular Tri-Blend by Solid Gold Bomb™Solid Gold Bomb (SGB) is here! Printed on the American Apparel TR401 Tri-Blend Short Sleeve Track Shirt. Made of the three fabric combination (50% Polyester / 25% Cotton / 25% Rayon), this tee retains shape and elasticity. Cotton lends both comfort and durability with the addition of Rayon, it makes for a unique texture that drapes again…

Vintage Distressed Mantua Soccer Tri-Blend T-Shirt Go Vintage! Super Popular Tri-Blend by Solid Gold Bomb™Solid Gold Bomb (SGB) is here! Printed on the American Apparel TR401 Tri-Blend Short Sleeve Track Shirt. Made of the three fabric combination (50% Polyester / 25% Cotton / 25% Rayon), this tee retains shape and elasticity. Cotton lends both comfort and durability with the addition of Rayon, it makes for a unique texture that drapes again…

Vintage Distressed Mantua Polo Tri-Blend T-Shirt Go Vintage! Super Popular Tri-Blend by Solid Gold Bomb™Solid Gold Bomb (SGB) is here! Printed on the American Apparel TR401 Tri-Blend Short Sleeve Track Shirt. Made of the three fabric combination (50% Polyester / 25% Cotton / 25% Rayon), this tee retains shape and elasticity. Cotton lends both comfort and durability with the addition of Rayon, it makes for a unique texture that drapes again…

Model Power HO Old Time Wood Log Car, PRR CSM724020 $7.73 RP 25 wheels with metal axles, knuckle couplers with metal springs…

C B & Q 4 Window Cupola Caboose #52149 HO Scale by Tyco / Mantua C B & Q 4 Window Cupola Caboose #52149 HO Scale by Tyco / Mantua…

Western & Atlantic 1860’s Style Combine #24 HO Scale by Mantua / Tyco Western & Atlantic 1860’s Style Combine #24 HO Scale by Mantua / Tyco…