Rotonda di San Lorenzo Mantua Attraction Italy
Mantua is popularly referred as La Bella Addormentata – meaning Sleeping Beauty in Italian language. And I found many monuments there untouched, with old charm of medieval times. Mantua is listed in UNESCO World Heritage sites of Italy. It is an ideal day trip destination from Milan.
Worth mentioning here is Rotonda di San Lorenzo, a church south of South of Basilica di Sant’Andrea. It is a cute cylindrical striped structure made entirely of brick. From its appearance I could never guess it is a church.
Rotonda di San Lorenzo looks different from usual churches and has an old worn out look. The structure was built in 11th century during reign of Canossa family. The church has its base at a lower level than its surroundings.
After construction it was dedicated to martyr St Lawrence. It is believed to have been constructed on the site of a Roman temple for Venus dating from 4th century.
The ground level of the city, the Piazza delle Erbe, had risen around the church. Layers of soil, about one and half meters have accumulated around the structure over the years.
Interior of Rotonda di San Lorenzo
Much of the structure’s deterioration took place during 1579 to 1926, when the church was closed for worship. It was used for other purposes, mostly for private use by the influential families there.
Rotonda di SanLorenzo church Mantua Italy ceiling
The interior was dark, the cross illuminated with spot lights. There were arches all around and the higher floor was exclusively for women then. Thankfully they permitted photography, and I have precious digital memories from there. Faded frescoes of the Byzantine school from the 11th-12th century are visible.
Rotonda diSan Lorenzo Mantova Italy the cross
Location of Rotonda di San Lorenzo
It is located in the main square of Mantua in North Italy. Exact location is in Piazza Erbe of Mantua, you can approach walking through this part of city center of Mantua.
Open Timings
Monday to Friday – Summer timings: 10 am – 1 pm; 3-7 pm, Winter timings: 10 am – 1 pm; 2 – 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm.
Tickets
Free to enter, photography allowed.
Tour Time
Time required to tour Rotonda diSan Lorenzo church is less than half an hour.
Nicely shot. Have you seen the Indian Cofee house in Trivandrum? Lauri Baker must have been inspired by this
Interesting old building. Love it. Interior's nice – love those arches.
Very nice, Indrani. Thanks for sharing all these posts about your interesting travel in Italy.
Love the second picture. Great composition and lighting.
The interior shots are amazing.
This place is awesome!
Fantastic. I always wanted a round house but I'd need more windows.
the second shot is amazing
the light and color is so very beautiful
what a historic post here. The past is still around us with so much to teach
Lovely pictures. The first one reminded me of the structure of the town churches in Greece.
beautiful pix
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In the second photo, I love the way the age of the structure and its elegant alcoves, is such a contrast to the tubular metal backs of the modern chairs. It's a beautiful composition.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos
Have a nice week,
Greetings, Bram
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the play of yellow and orange lights is brilliant!
i am so GLAD myself that photography was permitted. we get to see what's inside.
The church looked very beautiful and the designs are so unique.
Very beautiful and interesting building. I liked the arches with green lights. Amazing.
terrific photos! i love the arches with golden light–the place looks solemn. must be a great place for a wedding.:p
Oh, those arches with the green lighting. Just superb!
Amazing place.
Sydney – City and Suburbs
Your interior shots are wonderful – that couldn't have been easy to get the right lighting!
Interesting post. The shots are superb.
Beautiful shots. The architecture is very different from the usual.
Interesting building. I love old churches. Italy has so many precious buildings.
Your post has me wondering about the significance of the rotunda. What an interesting shape. Very beautiful.
those are such wonderful captures of the church.
Fantastic, Indrani! I will always be awestruck by these ancient buildings and their history. These are superb! Have a great week!
Sylvia
Thanks for sharing these great pictures of a wonderful building. The interior is very impressive, but then so is the exterior.
What an extraordinary place, super light!
The inside is not at all what I imagined!
That is an interesting building. Thanks for the photos. I try to imagine people worshiping there so long ago.
An Arkies Musings
That's an amazing church. You took some wonderful shots there.
Wonderful photos of this heritage building!