One of the grandest and most renowned ducal palaces in Italy, the Palazzo Ducale is an expansive complex that includes several buildings, three piazzas, a garden, and a basilica. With 450 rooms, it is second in size only to the Vatican palaces. The palace is also known as the Reggia dei Gonzaga, named after the Gonzaga family who ruled the city for centuries. Construction spanned 300 years, from the 14th to the 17th century.

The palace houses a vast collection of artworks, with its crown jewel located in the Castello di San Giorgio—the “Camera degli Sposi” (Bridal Chamber), where the official in charge of registering marriages once sat. This room features magnificent frescoes by the painter Andrea Mantegna.

The palace is situated in the northeastern part of the city, near the entrance for those arriving from the Ponte di San Giorgio and the lake.