Castel Goffredo

Castel Goffredo is a comune of 13,000 people (2018) in Mantua. There are many things of artistic interest scattered in the historic centre: the beautiful Annunciation in 15th-century terracotta placed in the passage between via Roma and via Moratti. A few steps away is the Church of the Disciplini built in 1587 with a beautiful 17th-century bell tower.

Understand
Castel Goffredo has a much older history. The first human settlements date back to the Bronze Age (1800-1200 BC), after which the area was inhabited in Etruscan and Roman times, according to some scholars, the famous Roman poet Virgil was born right here in this area. In the Middle Ages (from 800-1115), Castel Goffredo belonged to the County of Brescia and was called Castrum Vifredi. In 1337, with the rise to power of the House of Gonzaga in Mantua, even the country was incorporated. Then took over the Visconti, again the Gonzaga and the Republic of Venice. From 1441 was finally passed to the lords of Mantua and stayed until 1708.

At the beginning of the 16th century, this land was the capital of a small state Gonzaga, the Marquis of Castel Goffredo. In their magnificent court, the gentlemen loved to surround himself with famous people, such as writers Matteo Bandello and Pietro Aretino. In 1602 Castel Goffredo lost its autonomy aggregate to the Duchy of Mantua followed the fortunes, passing under Austrian rule (1707) and, in 1859, became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

On 27 September 2002, the President of the Republic awarded in Castel Goffredo, the title of city: in this way was meant to "reward" the long history of this that at one time was the "Magnificent Community" as well as the resourcefulness of its people and characters that have made it famous. Among them, two examples are descendants of the family Acerbi Giuseppe Acerbi (1773–1846), explorer, scholar and Egyptologist, and Giovanni Acerbi (1825–1869), superintendent of the Expedition of the Thousand following Garibaldi. To Giuseppe Acerbi is a dedicated international literary prize that every year, aims to bring cultures and peoples. Among other important events, we must not forget the Carnival, the origins of the 19th century, based on the characteristic mask Dumpling King (Re Gnocco).

By plane
The nearest airport to Mantua is Valerio Catullo Airport near Verona, on the Brennero's Highway, 25 minutes away from the city. Other options are Guglielmo Marconi Airport, near Bologna, 1 hour away, and Orio al serio Airport, near Bergamo, reachable in less than 1½ hours via Highway.

The airport in Verona served by some low-cost airline such as WizzAir (to Bucharest), EasyJet (to London-Gatwich, Paris Charles de Gaulle) and VoloTea (to Bari, Palermo). Other big carriers such as Lufthansa serve this airport daily. Airports in Bologna and Bergamo are served by the low-cost carrier Ryanair.

By train
The station of Desenzano del Garda.

By bus
APAM S.p.a. offers many buses that connect the whole province with the cities Brescia and Mantua. To know timetables and fares the easiest way is to use Google Maps which, thanks to a collaboration between Apam and Google, it's very accurate in timetables and routes.

Buy

 * In the numerous hosiery with farm shop you can buy at factory prices socks and tights for women, men socks, underwear and swimwear.
 * Weekly market on Thursday, Old Town Square, and Martyrs of the Liberation.

Eat
The local specialty is the Tortello amaro di Castel Goffredo.

Go next

 * Lake Garda
 * Mantua