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The small city of Mantua lies on the Lombard plain surrounded by three artificial lakes formed using the waters of the River Mincio to act as the city’s defence system in the 12th century. Up until the 18th century, there were four lakes, but the last one has dried up. Today, the city remains largely unchanged by time. Over the past 500 years, the population has grown only slightly; now hovering around 48,000.
Given its ‘out-of-the-way’ location, about a 45-minute drive south of Verona, it is overlooked by many visitors to Italy, which is a shame given its cultural heritage. Mantua is frequently listed as one of the best places to live in Italy, and in 2007 the historic city centre became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nine years later, Mantua was also crowned Italy’s Capital of Culture.