Mantua, in southeastern Lombardy, traces its origins to the Etruscans and Romans and became a major centre of Renaissance culture. Highlights include the Romanesque Rotonda di San Lorenzo, the historic clock tower built by Manfredi, the richly decorated Basilica di Sant'Andrea and the impressive Piazza Sordello with its cathedral. The magnificent Palazzo Ducale, former seat of the Gonzaga dynasty, and the beautifully preserved Palazzo d'Arco reflect the city's artistic and architectural heritage. Mantua remains one of Italy's finest living monuments to the Renaissance.