Milano - Mantua 🇮🇹🚄🚌

This morning I said farewell to Andrew and Narelle who will continue their volunteering in Milan, and started my journey to the mountains via a few towns along the way. 
I caught a suburban train to Milano Centrale station and then onto a regional train with a bus connection.  Centrale station is a stunning grand building and the view when you come up the escalators always takes my breath away.
Mantova is a little secret, a treat for those who search for off the beaten track towns.  Today’s heavy fog only started to lift around 5pm and so created a moodiness to the mediaeval walled city.  I wandered through the cobbled streets wondering how many people had gone before me.  
First stop to the Cathedral Basicalla of St Andrea the Apostle - built in 1472 and famous for allegedly having some dirt with Jesus blood dropped on it. 
The painted ceilings and walls are beautiful and there is a dome which you can pay to climb.
Outside again in the cool damp air I came across a legendary artisan products store with a queue out the door.  I always figure a queue means the food must be great.  Upon recommendation I tried the “Elvezia” almond cake, prepared first in the 1800’s by the local baker.  It was delicious! 
I then made my way through the medieval buildings to the huge square where Palazzo Ducale is located.  This Palace, built 1328, has over 1000 rooms, (one of the largest in Europe) and most of them hand painted.  The family had a resident artist for 46 years, who made their way through the rooms painting stunning murals on the ceilings and walls.  It's almost too much to take in as you walk through 100+ rooms in the palace. 
The Gonzaga family had generations living in the Palace from 1328-1707! 
In addition to the wall art, there are family collections of  coins, paintings, tapestries, sculptures and furniture. 
 
After the Palace I made my way to the outside of the castle to see the moat before walking along the man-made lake which was heavy in fog. 
Back to my traditional little family hotel for a little rest before heading out for a couple of slices of pizza. Great day in 🇮🇹

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