On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Ducal Palace of Mantua is set to celebrate two significant events occurring on the same date: the birthday of Isabella d’Este, one of the most emblematic figures of the Renaissance, and the European Night of Museums.
The choice of May 17 is not coincidental; the museum has decided to honor the Marchioness in conjunction with the initiative aimed at promoting European cultural heritage. For this special occasion, subscribers to the Mecenate program are invited to participate in an exclusive event.
Activities for Mecenate Subscribers
The Mecenate subscription offers numerous benefits to its holders, including free entry to the museum for one year and priority access to special events. Both existing subscribers and those wishing to sign up will be able to participate on Saturday, May 17, at 11:00 AM in the Courtyard of Santa Croce. Director Stefano L’Occaso will lead a unique tour of the widow’s apartment wing of Isabella d’Este, where historical architectural elements such as traces of the Palatine Church of Santa Croce and the famous viridarium decorated by Lorenzo Leonbruno can be observed.
The tour will conclude in the Imperial Room, richly adorned with paintings and stuccoes dating back to the 1530s, a historic space that also hosted Emperor Charles V during a theatrical performance.
European Night of Museums
Alongside the celebrations for Isabella d’Este, the Ducal Palace will participate in the European Night of Museums, an initiative launched in 2005 by the French Ministry of Culture aimed at promoting awareness of European cultural heritage. During this special evening, visitors will have extraordinary access to state art venues until 10:15 PM (last entry at 9:20 PM), with a promotional ticket available for just 1 euro starting from 6:40 PM.
Additionally, the thematic tour “In the Footsteps of Isabella” will be offered, conducted by the staff of the Ducal Palace. This one-hour visit will allow participants to discover locations related to the life of the Marchioness through two scheduled departures at 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM. Reservation is mandatory via the infopoint, reachable at +39 0376 352100.
The celebrations promise to be an unmissable opportunity to immerse oneself in local history and appreciate the artistic beauty of the Ducal Palace while paying tribute to one of the most influential figures of Italian Renaissance culture.
Italian Version
